Having the opportuofty to grow up in an orphanage that houses more than two hundred children comes with a number of advantages.
In life, there is a lack of purpose, a great deal of knowledge to acquire, and a multitude of goals to pursue.
When we reach the age of ten, we begin the process of developing our capacity for doing things on our own. Either we learn the skills necessary for survival in a harsh world on our own, or we run the risk of becoming like those children who, exhausted by the struggle, come to the conclusion that nothing can save them.
Especially in the midst of the fear of navigating high school as a child who was raised in an orphanage, we yearn for a sense of belonging, having a home to call our own, and having a family with whom we can identify.
To a greater or lesser extent, our character is shaped by the experiences we had as children while living in an orphanage.
Individuals who are overly eager to conform frequently associate with peers who are not desirable; individuals who are yearning for affection and acceptance may also align themselves with inappropriate companions who ultimately cause them harm.
On the other hand, there are people like myself and my friends who are only interested in escaping the distressing experiences we have had and hoping that these experiences will improve their circumstances on a daily basis.
When we reach the age of ten, the authorities, in general, disregard our actions and experiences; we are forced to navigate the challenges of life on our own, and we are forced to face either defeat or triumph; I believe that they are indifferent.
They are not concerned about our subsequent destination, companions, or activities after we leave the system because they also have lives to lead and more important matters to attend to.
It is anticipated that we will leave the system one week after our eighteenth birthday.
The children who are younger than ten years old are their top priority, and they are dealt with with the utmost regard and consideration.
The Bright Orphanage is a well-known institution in the community; it is a private organization that receives financial support from wealthy and well-known individuals.
There are many different things that are brought to us, such as clothing, financial resources, and food. The only thing that is lacking in this place is a lack of moral and physical development, but other than that, we are doing well materially and have no deficiencies.
In order for social workers to evaluate our progress on a weekly basis, it is imperative that we present ourselves in a positive manner and behave in the most effective manner possible.
No one wants to leave for a foster home or a government institution, despite the fact that the treatment they experience is less than ideal.
As a result of the fact that we all consider this location to be a house rather than a home, it is essential that the social workers give the impression that they are content; otherwise, they might be forced to relocate.
The orphanage is a highly frequented institution for wealthy and well-known couples who are interested in adopting children; however, it only accepts children who are under the age of ten.
There is little interest in adopting teenagers, who are considered to be problematic, such as myself and my peers. As a consequence of this, the authorities provide adequate care for children who are younger than ten years old.
Upon reaching the age of ten, we relinquish our aspirations for adoption; it is at this juncture that the genuine battle for survival commences, and the hope of acquiring a name and a familial bond is extinguished.
Adoption is the most advantageous event that can occur to any individual because it represents an improved existence in comparison to the life that was previously envisioned for us, particularly when it is embraced by a family that is nurturing.
As a result of the fact that the organization is receiving visits from wealthy and prominent individuals for the purpose of adoption, it is considered to be a family that is of high reputation.
There are hardly ever any instances of adoption taking place. There has only been one instance of adoption that I have come across in my sixteen years of living here, and that was ten years ago
A baby boy was adopted by the couple, and ever since then, the organization has only been visited for the purpose of carrying out charitable activities rather than for the purpose of adoption.
We are enrolled in one of the most prestigious public schools in the state of Texas; despite the fact that it is located a considerable distance from the orphanage, we are provided with a bus that helps us get to school in the morning and pick us up after school. If you happen to miss the bus, you will have no choice but to head home on foot.
An example of a typical high school is Weston High School, which is comprised of a diverse group of students, including athletes and cheerleaders, preppy students, nerds, gamers, members of the student government with their dominant deputies, wallflowers, artists, and marginalized individuals who are at the lowest social tier.
Those who are intellectually inclined are given preference over those who are marginalized, which is a category that includes both my friends and myself; we are the neglected entities in society, the abandoned orphans, and they constantly remind us of the fact that we are undesirable.
In spite of the fact that some of the children who are housed in the orphanage belong to particular categories, my friends and I are the most marginalized, the neglected, and the unfortunate.
We each have scars that are a representation of the lack of support we have received and the inevitability of our circumstances.