Often times orphans are prone to blaming themselves for their circumstances. They wonder what they could have done differently to keep their parents from passing away. They are scared and scarred, confused and often somewhat hopeless. At least they think they are hopeless.
One of the charges of the GIOH and Jewish orphanages in general is to make these children understand that they are not the reason for their circumstances. Making them realize they had no real control over the situation is a good way to start the healing process and find their way to a new kind of normalcy.
Jewish orphans and orphans in general need reassurance to get through the roughest patches of their very tough road. They need concerned parties to take an active interest in their lives and make the most out of what they have to offer. These are roles parents usually take on in a child’s life. Filling that gulf is a difficult task and requires the focused attention of an informed orphanage staff.
Keeping children engaged in their life can be difficult to begin with. Keeping them engaged as they unpack the intricacies of their own grief over the loss of a parent can be all the more difficult.
