Must-see TV, Russian Style

Remember last year when we posted about unexpecting the expected? Well, we expected to have a short interview with the media in Sovietsk. What we got instead was 4 days of cameras and mics, personal interviews and written statements, and candid footage by award-winning documentary filmmaker Tatyana Khalezova. What a surprise, and what an honor! We were glad for the chance to spread the word in Russia about our special kids. We're hoping this builds even more support from within Russia. We're thankful for any way to get the word out!

The link below is an excerpt from Kirov Regional news, following our outing to Dolbiylova. (While we might have looked more camera-ready when we weren't hiking through the woods, we are glad that Sovietsk Supporters Galina and Volodya were featured!) Please, follow the link below to watch our news segment. (I haven't figure out how to embed Russian video. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen to watch.)

http://www.gtrk-vyatka.ru/vesti/7657-amerikanskie-volontery.html

While it loses something going from English to Russian and back to English, the translation is below. You, Sovietsk Supporters, get a major mention! Between our family and friends, Bethlehem Lutheran, KidsFirst Foundation, and Evangel PCA in Kansas, not to mention people who have found us via blog, the supporters are well over 200. So thank you!

(Also, this is just a portion of what will be featured on a "full-length docu-drama" television show about Sovietsk orphanage and our involvement there. Something along the lines of Dateline Kirov, it seems. Stay tuned for even more!)

AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS
A group of American volunteers arrived in Kirov Region. They visit orphanages. The charity help that the guests from abroad render is measured not in money equivalent only. Relations and interaction are the key for the orphans regardless of the language of this communication.
Sarah, Benjamin, Katherine, Jennifer, Steve and Barbara . They came to Sovietsk orphanage from Indiana, USA.

Sarah Clark, social worker [student] (Indiana, USA): «Today here you see only 6 Americans. But there are a lot more people that participate in this program. They are about 200, more than 200. We are happy when we can raise some money to help these children. On the other hand, I have been writing to a girl from this orphanage for three years already. We have become friends. We are very attached to one another and I hope that after she graduates we will be able to continue keeping in touch».

Sarah Clark is a social worker [student]. She works with foster care children and children from correctional facilities learning to live at home independently.

Sarah Clark, social worker [student] (Indiana, USA): «The children that I work with at home are in no way different from these children. Of course, there are only a few children's homes in the USA. Most children live in foster families. Both the systems: orphanages and foster care have positive and negative sides».

But the problems, unfortunately, are the same. When the children leave the orphanages, they are hardly able to deal with everyday life. Every child must have an adult that s\he can trust.
The charity foundation “NADEZHDA” works with volunteers from abroad and Russia and helps to find these people.

Galina Plotnikova, Principal of Sovietsk sanatorium type orphanage: «They write letters to each other, make sure to send a birthday card greeting, check on the children’s health. They can ask whether the child’s cat has become bigger, for instance. They pay attention to all the details and small things».

The orphanage was able to hire a speech pathologist and many tutors with the financial assistance. Some boys were able to get their driver’s licenses.

Galina Plotnikova, Principal of Sovietsk sanatorium type orphanage: «We were able to start a drama and guitar club. And overall, our children make better progress at school because of the tutors».

The week of personal interaction with the adults lets the children feel like they possess equal rights with other members of society. When they are together, walking hand in hand, there are things to talk about.

Planting Trees

In Russia, they say there are three things necessary in order to be a man: build a house, raise a son, and plant a tree. I'm two-thirds of the way there.

During our visit, my dad, our interpreter Misha, and I had the opportunity to help some of the young fellows at the orphanage take a step toward becoming men.

Because of a carelessly discarded cigarette, the orphanage lost about a dozen trees along the perimeter of its property last year. We planted some trees to replace those damaged in the fire. During this process, I became acutely aware of how fortunate I was to have a man like my father teach me to be a man. These young guys at the orphanage aren't so lucky.

One boy in particular comes to mind. As Misha put it, "He hasn't learned to keep his word. He hasn't learned to be a man." He will graduate soon and have to set about life on his own. When I was his age I wasn't ready to be on my own; I couldn't imagine being in his shoes. But this is why Sarah and I are working so hard and partnering with our Russian counterparts to help all of the kids at Sovietsk Orphanage find their way.

We're home!

Returning home from our Russian home is always bittersweet . . .

The whole team arrived in Indianapolis last night without a single travel glitch, safe and sound, to many hugs and kisses from the families who missed them. We had a great time, we learned and laughed and hugged as much as we could. We dug in to the Sovietsk community, visiting schools and tech schools, connecting with local supporters, even earning a major feature on Kirov region news. We saw how our investment is paying off, inspiring more local people to invest in Sovietsk as well. We saw how individual sponsorship touches individual kids, and how program sponsorship touches the orphanage community. We saw how this year's sponsorship improved the atmosphere--an updated hallway and bathroom, cozy drapes for the children's rooms, little things here and there that make a big difference. We supplied textbooks, school supplies, garden and sports equipment, winter gloves, and lots of fun treats sent from all over the country. We worked, played, adventured, and were treated to the finest hospitality on earth. We didn't say goodbye, we said see you next time.

Seeing hard work pay off in the form of truly changed lives is encouraging to the core. Sponsors and pen pals, I'll be sending photos and information about your special children in the next few weeks. We also learned of many more needs and gained a better understanding of some of the challenges our children face. I can't say enough about the people who came along with us--I am so thankful for our invested and creative team of travelers whose wheels have been turning all week and who are excited to broaden the web of support for these kids. Stay tuned--there is so much more to come.

The stories will unfold bit by bit, and we are excited to share with you! You'll hear about each of our special programs, more details about the kids and their needs, and more about the Sovietsk community. You'll hear about all of our wonderful surprises--teachers getting to teach lessons, our nutritionist learning and sharing with the orphanage nurse, professionally-oriented conversations about our kids, and all of it filmed by an award-winning director for a special documentary. We'll share how to make vetrushki, how to play banana, and what to expect if you're ever at a potato festival. You may hear from some of our other travelers as well--fresh perspective is a beautiful thing!

Especially, you will hear a resounding THANK YOU from the people of Sovietsk, and from Ben and I, who are so honored to represent you and bring your love to them. The impact of another year of sponsorship hit us squarely in the face--there is no question that all of your love, support, and generosity is changing lives. We are so inspired to do even more--so please, continue to join us along the way.

It's coming...

Our house is a flurry of activity in preparation for travelling. We're busy tying up loose ends before setting out on our next trip to Russia.

But something interesting dawned on us today that led us to pause and reflect. It never ceases to amaze us that we always get exactly what we need for our trips to Russia. From our very first trip over four years ago, when we had no money of our own to speak of, we raised the exact amount of money we needed to pay our expenses for the trip. Several months ago we started a drive to raise supplies and money to donate to the orphanage for life-giving programs for the kids. Now, going in to our fourth trip, as of this morning, we have exactly the right amount of supplies and money that we asked for. I don't know why or how it happens this way. It's Providence perhaps. Whatever it is, we gladly accept. We like to think of this as affirmation that we're doing the right thing. We know that it's not because of us, but we're glad to be the ones who are tasked with looking after these kids, in some small way, for this period in our lives.


So to all of the donors, letter writers, and anyone who offers support, we say a resounding Thank You.

Northwest Media Inc. publishes lots of social learning material, including this poetry book. As I am working with teens in Indianapolis who are leaving foster care (or corrections) to live on their own, I have been trying to enter their world a bit. The poets in this book are all foster youth or former foster youth. Their work is impressive on so many levels, revealing great hope, pain, fear, despair, gratitude, resilience, and determination. These kids are not unlike the kids at Sovietsk, so I thought I would share some of their poems here and there, sharing a window into their worlds.

Escape From Reality

Isn't there a place

I can go

far away

from here

where I can find

peace and love and nothing troubles me

Where everyone

loves me

for who I am

and welcomes me with open arms

Is there such

a place on earth

Will you

show me the way

This is a place

I long to be

far away

from reality

Christina