ElShaday now has a family!

I am the lucky one that hosted ElShaday so here are a few of my impressions of not only the hosting camp, but of hosting ElShaday.

We were excited and thrilled to see the very happy smiles of the children arriving off the bus especially after a 20 hour flight and 8 hour bus trip from Washington D.C. to Huntington, Long Island.  They were dressed in their traditional Ethiopian clothes which were white linen with small maroon and green appliqu’e. We were impressed how radiant they all were. They were beaming from ear-to-ear. All of the children leap with glee off the bus and  immediately ran over to greet their host families and in no time were ready to jump into their cars to be whisked away to their new adventure.  All of the older children spoke wonderful English.  Not only were the host families extremely impressed, but, I think we were somewhat relieved. The youngest was a bit shy, as you could imagine he would be. He was offered some juice, a snack and a small stuff animal to comfort him during the ride home.  Once at home it didn’t take but a few minutes to enjoy his new surroundings.    

Elshaday is a 4-year-old who immediately began to interact with family, friends and neighbors.  Considering that English is not his first language, he began to communicate through sign language, some English and eyebrow raising to show his approval when he likes something or someone.  He is a sponge when it comes to language.  He repeats English back to you correctly the first time whereas he patiently corrects me 4-5 times when I speak Amharic to him and, when I still I don’t get it right, he just smiles.   He is smart, kind, helpful, friendly and funny.  He shakes hands when first being introduced to someone without any prompting as well as when he sees that person again at another time.. He enjoys dressing like my nephews as well as his traditional Ethiopian clothes which all the Ethiopian children were wearing when they arrived. He also loves to talk on the phone and say hi to anyone who calls. That’s when his English really shows up and astonishes us all.

His first day he was hesitant about taking a shower or bath so I sponged-bathed him.  He enjoyed that.  The next day he was willing to stand in the water.  By the 3^rd day he was willing to stand and take a shower.  Since the  4^th day, he wants to take a shower every morning and every night.  I have a hard time getting him out of the bathtub now.  Also, he tries to spend 15-20 minutes twice a day brushing his teeth.  Thank goodness for the bubble gum-flavored toothpaste. 

This whole experience has allowed me the opportunity not only to give me some idea of what parenting is all about, but allows me to get to know a child, albeit on a temporary basis, and  show him compassion, an American way of life, take him to new places while at the same time I am afforded the opportunity to get to know him before considering or actually adopting him.

This has been a great experience for my family, friends and neighbors.  My family’s global outlook on the world grew.  My nephews were excited to take part in welcoming a younger child than themselves from another part of the world into their family.  They gave him their toys, cared about what he ate and looked up more Amharic words on the internet to make him feel at home.  At the very least, it was educational for them at a very social conscious level and it has broaden their horizons.  Now, in school, when they learn about the rest of the world and how they may be required to help others out, they’ll always think back to this experience.  It really hits home with them.    My friends and neighbors have been finding the experience thrilling too.  Everyone stops by to say hi to spend time with Elshaday and some bring small gifts.  They feel that they can’t do much, but what little they can do can somehow make the world a better place.

I think the majority of the host families were very much surprised on how kind and soft-spoken, well-mannered and respectful the Ethiopian children are as well as their officials who accompanied them. They are wonderful people. It’s refreshing to be around them.

I think hosting or adopting an older child is easier because they are more self-sufficient. Even Elshaday, being 4-years-old, uses his utensils property, understands personal hygiene, is courteous with other children and other adults, well-mannered, smart, athletic and overall well-balanced.  While parenting is challenging, it’s always a lot easier when a child can meet you part of the way

Thursday, August 31st the families and children will once again come together at 5:30 pm at the private beach on the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory campus, One Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724.   After you enter the main entrance of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, go to the first stop sign. Approximately 100 feet after the stop sign, you will come to a fork in the road. Bear left and continue driving past the turnabout until you come to nother fork in the road.  Bear left and follow the road down to the beach.  

Directions to the Lab are as follows:

From West: Take the Long Island Expressway (Route 495) east to Exit 41N towards Route 107/106. Bear to your right when the road forks to stay on Route 106. Travel approximately 4 miles (6.4 Km) north to Route 25A. Make a right, and travel east for 4 miles (6.4 Km). A sign marking Bungtown Road precedes the entrance to the Laboratory. Make a left at the traffic light. You will see a lighted CSHL sign and a large gold Victorian house by the entrance. You have gone a little too far if you pass route 108.

From East: Take the Long Island Expressway (Route 495) west to Exit 44N which is the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (Route 135) north. Take Exit 14E towards Woodbury. Turn Right onto Jericho Turnpike (NY-25 E). Make a left onto South Woods Road and follow to its end. Make a right onto Cold Spring Road and merge onto Route 25A eastbound. A sign marking Bungtown Road precedes the entrance to the Laboratory. Make a left at the traffic light. You will see a lighted CSHL sign and a large gold Victorian house by the entrance. You have gone a little too far if you pass route 108.

From South: Take Southern State Parkway, take the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (135) north to exit 14E Jericho Turnpike. Make a left on South Woods Rd and take that to its end. Make a right on Cold Spring Rd. and merge onto 25A going east. A sign marking Bungtown Road precedes the entrance to Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Make a left at the traffic light. You have gone a little too far if you pass route 108.