Explanation of Placement for Laura

Lala Meryem Center for Abandoned Children
General Information about the Partner Organization

The objective of this center is the social, health, psychological and educational care of the abandoned children, the neediest and those in a precarious situation.

The center hosts approximately 170 orphans or abandoned children, of that 25 of them are handicapped. The abandoned children need the support of psychiatrists and psychologists. The integration of a child into the center often requires long months of patience.

The children until they are two years of age live in what they call ‘nests’ of which there are five. When they reach the age of two, they are put in “houses” in which about 17 children of the same age live together like brothers and sisters. In each nest or house, two or three wet-nurses take turns. A specialized nurse prepares the feeding-bottles which are numbered because some babies need specific milk.

Some volunteers come regularly to the center to feed the children or to play with them. The babies stick to all those who come to visit. They are in real need of affection and tenderness of which they were cruelly deprived in the past.

In addition, the slow procedure of adoption is one of the major problems of the center. The adoptive parents can have any nationality but must be Muslim. To adopt a child, it is necessary to be very patient. Some children suffer in the process of adoption because they created bonds with their perspective parents. But because of lack of patience, the people ended up giving up.
Let us note, also, that within the center, there is a building for disabled children. These children have their own refectory, a classroom and showers adapted to their handicap and are able to benefit from physiotherapy.

Specific duties of the volunteers:
· To take care of the children
· To feed the babies
· To plan games, recreational and educational activities for children
· To assist the nurses and baby sitters