Why we don’t accept teenagers at Bolingo Village.
If you've been following along with our social media - you'll know that we started a "kid of the week" series where we highlight one of the kiddos of Bolingo Village. By this point, you may have noticed that all of our children are younger; most of our kids are under ten years old. That's because Bolingo Village tries to welcome new children that are six years old or younger.
We do this for a couple of reasons:
To encourage family bonding.
To assist in overcoming trauma.
To reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse between our kids.
Family Bonding
Last week's kid of the week came to live at Bolingo when she was just a few days old. She was ill at birth, and her mother knew that she couldn't afford to give her the care she needed. So we gladly took her in, and now she reigns supreme. Mama Oddy wanted a baby - so although she had a house otherwise full of boys, that's where she went. This little one knows nothing else but life at Bolingo Village. She's never known hunger; she will grow up knowing that Mama Oddy is her primary caregiver and source of love and protection. She will grow up having seven brothers that protect her and come running when she calls.
Part of the care that Bolingo Village offers is the love of a family. This bond grows with time, which is why we have set our age range on the younger end.
Overcoming Trauma
Every single child at Bolingo Village has experienced trauma. Their stories are just as heartbreaking as their giggles are heartwarming. The earlier we can start work healing from trauma, the greater the likelihood that trauma becomes a distant memory rather than a constant source of hurt.
"Hurt people, hurt people" is a very true statement. Bolingo Village is the place that helps these kids break that cycle and ensure that nothing is standing in the way of them becoming the best versions of themselves.
Avoiding Sexual Abuse
We don't talk about avoiding sexual abuse a lot - but it is constantly on our minds and in our planning. Unfortunately, the reality is that some of our children have experienced sexual abuse. While this is not the only method we're employing to negate this cycle, it is vital to our goal.
At Global Orphan Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a champion. Although we know that Bolingo Village cannot help every child, we are steadfast in our commitment to the ones we can. Our general rule of accepting children six years old or younger is one tool that we use to create a healthy and happy community.