The Power of Video

How do you possibly explain something as complex as international adoption in a place as complicated as Nepal to a seven year old who is as confused as some adults about this convoluted process?

YouTube.

It sounds trite, right? I know. As corny as it may sound, it is also the one thing that has saved me from trying to explain something – and someplace – to an inquiring 1st grade mind.

So, in the middle of compiling the endless amounts of paperwork that makes up the THUD called the dossier, I discovered the power of storytelling through videos shot in Nepal orphanages. YouTube has an incredible number of videos that really tell the stories about life in the orphanages and life on the streets. They may not be easy to watch, but it is a glimpse into the reality we will face when we travel and return with our children to share with them their heritage through the years. I have captured a few of them in this post, but I encourage you to find some of your favorites and share them in the comments section.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW57KjSwE2k&feature=related

My daughter is learning how to read, but she hasn’t mastered the art of reading at the pace in which these words flash across the screen. She watched this video with me, but didn’t fully grasp the concept (and , for the record, I am just fine with that). This is a wonderful video if you can make it through the mid-way point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKuxtAw61nA&NR=1

When We Picked Him Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERKXlCNytY0 is also a wonderful video capturing the 2007 adoption of Samuel from Kathmandu, Nepal through www.newbeginningsadoption.org

The old adage still holds true: a picture – or a video – is worth a thousand words.