Orphanage in Estonia

This week I went to a local orphanage to volunteer. After getting my unsuccessful test grade back and watching a drunk be pulled away in an ambulance while eating a cabbage roll in the Town Square, I was ready to see some orphans. Kara, another international student, and I walked about 15 min outside Old Town to this pink stucco home. Upon entry, one is supposed to take off his or her shoes, which I did. The whole time I felt so uncomfortable and awkward. Kara showed me around the place. There are two floors. The first one has a kitchen, dining room, living room, and several middle-age (8-10) boy rooms. Upstairs was all the other kids rooms, a worker room, and another living room with a balcony where the cool angsty teenagers smoke. One of the reasons I thought it was awkward was the fact that there wasn't much communication between us and the orphans other than the younger ones coming up for tickle fights and hugs. I am sure once the whole "getting to know you" process is over, the teenagers will be more friendly. Normally Kara said on Tuesdays she watches choir practice (which is downstairs in the basement) and folk practice, then eats dinner with them and helps them with their homework. So we watched the choir practices which made me laugh because although I don't understand Estonian I could tell what the teacher was commenting on. One of the interesting things, the kids who are there may have parents or extended family still around, it's just that their parents can't afford or don't want them. That's why they are there, in addition to what one may already think. When I left I was pretty sure I never wanted to go again (probably because I am HUGE chicken), but while writing this and remember each kid's attributes makes me want to go again.