Funding 2009-2010

We're excited to announce that KidsFirst Foundation will continue to fund the following crucial programs for the kids at Sovietsk this school year: speech therapist, math tutor, Russian language tutors, foreign language tutor, general tutor (all subjects), massage or cosmetology school for the grads. We are grateful for and encouraged by their support, which we know will have lasting impact on the lives of the children at Sovietsk.

However, there are a number of equally important programs from last year that are still in need of funding, so it's time to get creative. We are in crunchtime since the school year starts September 1 and these programs aren't yet fully funded. We need your help!

The orphanage director has identified the following financial needs for the upcoming academic year:

Soccer coach: $636
Boxing coach: $636
Touring instructor: $636
Guitar instructor: $636
Dancing instructor: $636
Drama teacher: $636
Music School: $240
Transportation fees to and from extra curricular classes and clubs: $804

The total for these programs is $4,860.00 .

We need your help! Any one-time donation of any size will assist us in covering these programs. We need your creativity! Any suggestions for fundraising, or grants available, or any employers who match contributions could help us meet this goal.

There are 2 main reasons we are committed to meeting this goal.

First, the children have had these programs for the last 2 years, thanks to generous funding. We have seen the success bred by these programs, and it breaks our heart to remove something that has become so meaningful in the children's lives.

Second, these programs have immeasurable value. It's easy to see why tutoring is important--we all know that education is key to success all over the world. But extra-curricular activites have value far beyond fun-and fun itself is a worthy pursuit for any child! Sports and music spur brain development, physical development, coordination, confidence, problem-solving, a whole host of life skills that translate across life domains. Most children in orphanages struggle with developmental delays, and the value of music, arts, and sports in increasing developmental competency has been proven time and again. The opportunity to take tours and fieldtrips helps children see a world beyond the orphanage walls and imagine greater possibilities for themselves. And obviously, the programs are useless if we cannot transport the children to participate! :)

While we can measure the practical impact of academic programs, we can never express how deeply these supplementary programs have affected the confidence and self-esteem of the children involved. These children are often overlooked, discarded by society, and expectations for them are quite low. Challenges on a stage or in a competition lead to encouragement and success, which builds over time to help these young children begin to realize their worth and potential. Add to that the knowledge of people who care from the other side of the world (who are willing to support these programs), and the impact is immeasurable.

SO, we would love your help with this. Please spread the word. Please ask anyone who may be interested. We know so many of you have donated toward the trip activities and supplies, and we thank you for that. This is why we need to cast a wider net . . . any help or suggestions are appreciated!

(Checks can be made payable to Children's HopeChest and mailed to 9240 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80920-5007. Or, visit http://www.hopechest.org/, click on Give, and donate by credit card. Please be sure to mark all donations Sovietsk programming 2009-2010. and THANK YOU!)

Triple Update!

So, for the time, the blog has gone utilitarian. (All energies are going toward trip preparations!) Here are 3 updates:

Requisite Supply Update

Still hoping for 11 lipsticks/lip glosses, 35 bubble pipes (or a box of dixie cups and pack of straws to make our own), 28 small hand mirrors, face painting supplies, sugarless gum, stationary, $250 for school supplies, $150 for gardening equipment, funds for English lessons (see right), and LETTERS!

The supply drive has been so encouraging. Thanks to everyone who's contributing and to the kids of Bethlehem for writing tons of letters today!

Trip Plan Update

We have definite plans to visit some Tech schools where some of our graduates are attending. This is an excellent opportunity, both to open our eyes to the tech school experience and to build some long-term connections to be able to support the kids in the schools. We ask for prayers on this endeavor--opportunity awaits!

Update from the Discipler (who we will meet in September)

Dear Friends,

I don’t really want to worry you, but last time when I was in Sovietsk many of children there were ill. Most of them had high temperatures and running noses. Some of them were even in the hospital. But, the caregivers feel that everything will be alright very soon.

The life in the orphanage is in full swing. Every year in the spring they have “best of the Best” celebration where the students with the best grades and most achievements are honored.

Now the children and caregivers are occupied in the garden. They are planting vegetables, and also planting flowers in the flowerbeds. Each group arranges their flowerbed according to their own design. Even now, when they are only half done, they look very creative. I’m sure that when they finish the project, the director will choose the most beautiful. But this will be a very difficult task! The children told me about their visit in Yaransk on Victory Day. They liked the parade very much!

They also ask me whether Sarah and Ben are going to visit them this summer or not. They really hope to see you soon!

Summer is practically here. The children are looking forward for it. They are going to spend their summer in different camps, while some of them will be taken in the families in Dolbilovo. They are planning to go hiking throughout the summer, and of course all of them want to relax and recover from a somewhat difficult year.

From Ann Butorova

Supply Update

Thanks to all of you who are contributing to the supply drive for Sovietsk Orphanage! We have received lots of great support and some very creative ideas. We love that! Based on what I've heard and received from donors, we're still hoping for the following items:

16 lipsticks/lip glosses--for pampering time for our girls
20 hacky sacks--good bonding and gross motor building
35 bubble pipes--fun and soothing, good for stress and breath regulation
33 small hand mirrors (unisex)--for use in activities and for them to keep
face painting supplies--fun and nurturing!
sugarless gum--dental hygiene
dollar store stationary--to encourage letter writing
funds: $325 for school supplies, $350 for graduates, $150 for gardening equipment, and $43/child for English lessons (see right)
LETTERS!!!!!!!!!!!

See below for details, or email me if you'd like more info.

Graduates

We have 6 kids who are graduating from Sovietsk this year! Some are going to be welders, others machine operators. One will study to become a veterinarian, which is pretty uncommon for our kids. But they love animals at Sovietsk, so there is at least one example of someone following their interests. This is a bittersweet time for the graduates (and us) because they are now on their own. But it's also exciting because they are trying to make their way in the world. Fortunately, the orphanage's director, Galina is kind and supportive of the graduates. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they cross the Rubicon into adulthood.

Olga - Lyceum #1 to learn to be an operator
Oksana - Lyceum #1 to learn to be an operator
Alberto - Tech School #18 in Kirov to learn to be a facing worker
Andrey - Tech School #39 in Sovietsk to learn to be a welder
Ilya - Tech School #39 in Sovietsk to learn to be a welder
Svetlana - Tech School #38 in Urzhum to learn to be a vet

Supply Drive!

We have been very busy preparing for our September trip. We got the whole team of travelers together last night, and Ben and I are both now more excited than ever. We also have our supply drive going strong! We are still hoping for people who want to contribute in the following ways:

Donate items: We’re still hoping for: 2o lipsticks/lip glosses, 20 hacky sacks, 1 bag of balloons, 35 bubble pipes, 35 small hand mirrors (unisex), face painting supplies, and as much sugarless gum as we can carry. We could also use dollar-store stationary to encourage letter writing.

Donate money: This is currently our greatest need. We are still hoping to raise: $375 for school supplies, $500 to help new graduates get on their feet, $150 for sports equipment, and $200 for gardening equipment. We are also raising money for English lessons--$43 pays for a whole year for one orphaned child (you can donate toward this on the right of the blog). You can donate with a check payable to Children’s HopeChest—please mark ‘Sovietsk supply fund’ in the memo line.

Write a letter: Letters bring so much joy to the children! If you'd like to write a letter to one of the children at Sovietsk, email me.

If you know of anyone who would like to join these efforts, we'd love it if you spread the word.

We are so grateful for the donations we've received--a huge box of winter gloves, tons of nail polish, supplies for games, and some money and letters. We are so excited to visit these children, and we are SO excited to bring your love to them! Thank you for all you do, Sovietsk Supporters!

July 2009 Sovietsk Newsletter

Here's a note from our friends at Sovietsk...

Dear American Friends,

We are glad that you are writing to us! Thank you very much for your interesting letters and for you care and support. You have helped us discover a whole different world. Don’t forget about us! We are missing you very much. We want you to come to visit us again. We wish you a very good and sunny summer without clouds or heavy rains. We think about you very often. We hope to see you or hear from you soon.

Sarah and I are very excited to be heading back to them very soon. We're also looking forward to introducing them to some of our friends and family on this trip. Stay tuned for more from the July newsletter.