Those are all excelent points, none of which I would argue beyond clarifying what I meant by "under ideal circumstances." I would take him to the west for the opportunity to enhance his ability to communicate, his level of participation and length of stay set by his own terms. Not to negate what I said above, but I got the distinct feeling that those who tried to teach him sign were probably somewhat forceful or impatient in thier tactics, which he absolutely doesn't respond to. He also has a hand injury he is self-conscious of, a finger which is bent sideways, which I think could be repaired. He is very interested in visiting the US to sort of tour the various things he sees on the television. These are things I would present to him if I had the resources, i.e. enough money, "ideal circumstances." I am confident that he would enjoy spending time there, but my ideations also include returning here after a time.
He earns a relatively good amount of money, but without a family or group of people to share expenses with, it's not enough to keep off the streets, let alone pay for treatment should he get malaria or a bad case of dengue, or injure himself etc. He's 20 now, but in my mind, it's going to get more and more difficult for him to earn that money the older he gets. I believe his age and my financial means rule out adoption.
Your response was very thoughtful. I conceed that he may very well be happy to live as he did, as he always has, but that's going to be a difficult pill for me to swallow. Seeing the cigarette burns and scars on his body, and knowing the kind of exploitation that goes on here and the things that must have happened to him, he has a remarkably playful spirit and good nature and he'll survive. Being witness to the elements he's exposed to on the street, my impulse to shelter him, and my affection for him effectively outweigh my objectivity. I'm not delusional about his degree of attachment to me. I'm just groping in the dark, hoping there's some way he can be looked after if I must leave. I don't want to leave, but I'm afraid I've painted myself into a corner.
