**Special Category**

Titled:
Things I would change if I was in charge

I don't know how this goes around the rest of the world, but it often (typically? always?) in Ethiopia, the children in orphanages refer to their caregivers as enat, mama. They may have had several enats during their time in an institution. I wish they would call these ladies who play a vital, priceless role in the lives of the children they care for something else. Like Ms. Molly, or Auntie, or any other number of suitable terms of endearment.

Here is why. Let's look at how this breaks down from the child's perspective.

I had my mama.
I was happy.
She took care of me.
Then, she died or could not feed me.
One day, she was gone.
My heart was broken.
I moved to a new place where I didn't know anyone.
I was scared.
There were other mamas there.
They took care of me.
They fed me and bathed me.
My heart started to heal.
I became a little bit happy again.
Then, one day another mama came to pick me up and take me home.
My other mamas were gone.
I moved to a new place.
I was scared.
My new mama took care of me.
She fed me and bathed me.
My heart started to heal.

I wondered who would be next......

Mama = temporary.

And the burden lies with the adoptive parent to teach a child who has only known temporary mommys that Mama = forever. Alone.

With some children, this is no easy task.