What a Difference a Year Makes

On our trip, we gained some perspective on what our sponsors and donors have done for the kids at Sovietsk.

Thanks to Sovietsk Supporters, we delivered:

-A year's worth of school supplies: notebooks, pens, clay, paints, drawing pads, craft paper, glue, markers, and more

-A year's worth of hygiene supplies: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, more

-Important life-enhancing and educational items: a globe (featuring Indianapolis!), a guitar, soccer balls, volleyballs, puzzles, games

-Some fun: movies, cake, and ice cream :)

-Enough extra $ for bikes and skis--transportation and exercise

-Home supplies for recent graduates: tea kettles, pots and pans, desk organizers

-Thank you gifts to the wonderful orphanage staff

-Handmade, personalized hats & scarves--2 for each child!

-THREE LETTERS for each child! This was by far the most exciting delivery.

Over the course of the last year, based on sponsor support:

-Over half of all kids at Sovietsk have sponsors who provide financially and write regularly.

-Two older boys have obtained driver's licenses and have even worked and saved to buy their own cars. Their job prospects are now exponentially higher, and they are very proud to be 'members of society,' as Galina has said.

-One girl has spent the year traveling to Kirov City for special classes. She has just entered medical academy--unheard of for an orphanage grad!

-Sovietsk students have succeeded in soccer competitions and music competitions, lifting self-esteem and building relationships with children beyond the orphanage.

-The children have new tutors and learn new skills: cooking, gardening, cleaning, maintenance. They have extra adults in their life and are now better prepared for the outside world.

-The orphanage gained a psychologist and speech therapist to assist the children. Insitutionalized children have often experienced great trauma and loss in their little lives, and they are often severely delayed. Galina shared a story of a 9 yr old boy who came to the orphanage last year with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, often dissociating into a catatonic state or melting down in certain situations. By the end of the year, he had found a home at Sovietsk and greets Galina with a huge hug when he sees her. There are still strides to go, but they have come so far.

So, THANK YOU, from the kids. Your impact is greater than you will ever know.