Fresh Veggies

From the beginning, something that has impressed me about Sovietsk Orphanage is their vegetable garden. Most, if not all, of the produce they eat is grown on the orphanage grounds. Their carbon footprint, at least in that respect, is nil. The food they feed the children (and us when we visit) is all natural and completely organic. On top of that, the children are able to work in the gardens and learn how to grow food for themselves, a skill that not a lot of other orphanage graduates have.

On this most recent trip we learned that they are building a greenhouse in order to extend the growing season. We were all set to begin holding fundraisers in order to raise money for this project when the new director said that it won't be necessary. They already have everything they need to build it. The orphanage is having new and more energy efficient windows installed and will therefore use the old windows and some spare lumber to build the greenhouse. What's perhaps surprising to the American mind is that they are not riding the "green" wave, but rather this is just what they do. This is how they operate. Waste not, want not. It definitely leaves an impression on me every single time I visit. I find myself thinking twice about my ingrained profligate use of resources and how I can do a better job reducing my own carbon footprint.

For interesting thoughts on environmental responsibility and many other topics, visit Sarah's new blog: Just Living. It's a work in progress, so keep checking back.

We're home!!!

Ben, Katherine, Jen, and I have returned home from this year's visit to Sovietsk Orphanage. We had a full 10 days, visiting museums and historical sites, connecting with the local school and church, making friends in the community, and trying new Russian customs. We painted little faces, braided hair, painted nails, kicked soccer balls, and did yoga. We played outside, hunting mushrooms and rosehips, visiting special sites, and crossing rivers and hiking in Dolbiylova. We made paper airplanes, bracelets, photo albums, balloon animals, and smores. We shared master classes in cooking, music, traditional crafts, and village life. We delivered letters, photos, craft supplies, warm clothes, and a gift for each child. We left provisions for 2 nebulizers, medical equipement, sports equipment, and school support. We shared joys and sorrows, important conversations, successes, and tears. We hugged old friends and made new ones. We came home tired (and I came home sick), but we are energized and full of new ideas. We'll be sharing stories in the coming weeks and working hard to find sponsors for all 35 of the children. Until then, from us and from the children, THANK YOU for your support! The beautiful children of Sovietsk felt your love.