SOVIETSK SUPPORTERS

Why we've been missing lately . . .

2011-11-16T22:50:00.002-05:00

Initially Boy Baby Announcements

Graduation invitations and announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

We'll be back, we promise! We have been busy loving our little one. There are some projects in the works, so stay tuned.

Missing Russia

2011-08-10T21:07:00.003-04:00

Clearly, my Russia clock is ticking. Over the past 5 years, I have gotten used to visiting our kiddos at Sovietsk every year in August or September. This year, we are not able to go as we are expecting a new addition to our family any minute. This is where I wish I had superpowers--I would teleport in a heartbeat to see our kiddos and introduce our new little guy when he is here. All in due time, but for now it will have to do to write letters. And today, we had beet salad and cabbage rolls for dinner . . .

We have a friend traveling August 23, so we are collecting letters, gifts, and financial donations ahead of their trip. If you are able to donate towards programming, you can do that any time! Money goes through Children's HopeChest and should be marked RU0506000, Sovietsk. If you want to send letters or gifts, we can get them hand delivered if we receive them by August 17. Contact us if you are interested, and we will help you make the connection. Maybe I'll share the beet salad recipe, if you're lucky.

It's time to send more letters!

2011-08-02T21:18:00.000-04:00

It's time once again for our annual letter drive. We won't be able to visit Sovietsk this year ourselves, but another group of sponsors is visiting Kirov region later this month and will be able to hand deliver letters for us. If you would like to take this opportunity to start a pen pal relationship with a friend across the ocean, now is the time. Or if you already have a pen pal or are a sponsor, don't miss this chance to send something to your friend at Sovietsk. If you'd like to send a letter please let us know via e-mail and we can make sure the letters get there. The deadline to have letters to us is August 17th.

We also want to say thanks to everyone who contributed to the graduation gifts. But if you haven't contributed yet, don't worry because it's not too late. Just send us an e-mail and we'll let you know how.

A Visit to Moscow

2011-07-26T08:00:00.058-04:00

Two weeks ago today, St. Basil's Cathedral turned 450 years old. This beautiful monument to medieval Russia and Tsar Ivan the Terrible is a Russian Orthodox church built at Ivan's behest to celebrate a military victory. It's really quite a breathtaking and unique structure and no matter how many times I've visited Red Square, I cannot stop myself from taking a bunch of pictures of it.

Here's a photo I took of St. Basil's on our trip last fall.
It was the first time we've been to Red Square at night.

This summer, some of the kids and staff from the orphanage had a chance to travel to Moscow to visit St. Basil's and see other sites. They got to see a ballet at the Bolshoi Theater, visit some animals at the zoo, tour the city by boat along the Moscow River, and eat at a fancy restaurant. Not to mention the train ride from Kirov to Moscow, which is really a lot more fun than it sounds. When I heard about the trip the kids took to Moscow I was so happy for them and felt very grateful for the great staff of caregivers at the orphanage.

Here's a photo of the kids in Red Square this summer.

In the background is one of the walls of the Kremlin.

I would be remiss if I didn't make another plug for writing letters to the kids. I can't emphasize enough just how important these letters are and how very, very easy it is to do. Let us know if you'd like a transatlantic pen pal. And we're still trying to raise money to buy gifts for the orphanage graduates. See previous posts for details.

Weekend Warriors--Grad gift update/extension!

2011-07-22T15:40:00.002-04:00

Update . . . we have the weekend to continue collecting funds. I know we can do it!

We have $435 left to go. SO . . .
. . . if 10 more families can chip in $43.50 each, OR
. . . if 6 more families chip in about $70 each, OR
if lots of people give just a little,
or just a few people give a little bit more,
we will have it!

The best way to contribute:
Log on to http://www.hopechest.org/, click Give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please use refernce number RU0506000, and please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts 2011 in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.

Please, please consider donating. Thanks to all of you who have given, and all of you who are spreading the word!

Graduation Gift update

2011-07-20T18:49:00.003-04:00

Update . . . in an ideal world, we would have all of the funds for these gifts by THIS FRIDAY! July 22!

We have $575 left to go. SO . . . if 10 more families can chip in $57.50 each, we would have it!

The best way to contribute:
Log on to http://www.hopechest.org/, click Give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please use refernce number RU0506000, and please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts 2011 in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.

Please, please consider donating. Thank you for your kind support!

Graduation Gifts

2011-07-18T18:49:00.011-04:00

When people graduate in the US, it is usually a celebration. Accomplishment! Moving forward in the world, on to the next big thing. A day to celebrate with family and friends.

For young people graduating from school who are a part of the orphanage system in Russia, it can be a day of uncertainty, even fear. Of course, it is time to celebrate all the hard work that brought them to that point. But they will also leave everything they've known and venture into the world, on their own. Some tech schools provide opportunity, while others are all too familiar places of oppression and despair. The stigma of orphanhood can follow them, and they may or may not learn the skills they need to be successful in the world.

Part of our work in Russia is in hope of easing the anxiety of that graduation. We hope our youth stay connected with people who care about them, and we hope they plug in to other Fund Nadezhda programs, like the Ministry Center they are opening soon in Kirov to support these young graduates.

We also want to celebrate these young people and who they have become. We are sending the graduates a special note, and we hope to raise enough funds for each of them to have a high quality tea kettle. In Russia, tea is very important! They use electric kettles, and every proper adult in Russia knows to serve tea to important guests.

It will cost $695 to purchase quality tea kettles and sponsor a celebration for 8 wonderful grads at Sovietsk. Could you contribute? If 10 families gave $70, we would have it in no time! We are working quickly to raise the funds, as the children are leaving July 31. If you are interested in contributing, please comment below or send me an email. Or, log on to http://www.hopechest.org/, click give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.

And for your consideration, here are the young men and women we are celebrating this year, all leaving the 9th grade:

Ivan, age 16, Sergey, age 16, Tolya, age 16, and Maxim, age 17, will study to be electricians.

Lida, age 17, and Sasha, age 16, will study to become facing workers.
Nadya, age 18, will study to be a mail operator.

One young lady, 16-year-old Masha, will move on to 10th grade.

We wish these young people all the best. We know that Lida and Tolya had dreams of teaching PE or working in sports, and that Nadya dreamed of being a train attendant and traveling the country. Dreams change, and we know that reality often imposes itself on our hopes. We also know that no matter what profession these young people find, they are valuable and capable of the best humanity has to offer. Please join us in hoping and praying for the best for these young men and women.

Best. Letter. Ever.

2011-06-10T18:28:00.005-04:00

Wow, it's been quite an absence from blogging. There are lots of reasons for that, most of them good! We have also had to step back a little bit from lots of 'extras' with Sovietsk. BUT, one thing we are committed to doing is writing those letters! We've heard from more children this year than ever before, and it is a beautiful thing!

Along those lines, we had to share a letter that came to one of our long time sponsors. This gentleman has been writing to and sponsoring this young man since we began in 2007. They have never met, but they have developed quite a friendship. He shared this letter with us, and I am quite sure it is among the best letters I've ever read. We had to share!

Hello, Uncle (American Friend),

How are you? I'm fine. My favorite subjects are Russian language and Maths. You are my best friend I think. I like the pictures you've sent me last time. I'm really glad to become close friends with you. I need you and your support. You care for me. there are few people who really care.

I hope you to see you one day. It will be the best day of my life.

Goodbye,
[child from Sovietsk]

It takes time, in this case 4 years, but this is the kind of relationship you can develop and the impact you can have just by writing letters! This sponsor is planning to travel in the future, but even if he couldn't, he has made all the difference in the world just by caring.

You can do this too! For those of you who write, stay encouraged. Your words mean so much! For those of you who don't, we would love to connect you. Please contact me and I would be glad to help you find a Russian friend!

Sovietsk Newsletter

2011-04-07T17:38:00.001-04:00

Here's the latest newsletter from Sovietsk Orphanage:

Dear American friends,

We are glad to write to you again. Life is going well here. Soon the spring will come. The buds will appear on the brunches and there will be a spring smell in the air. We love spring.

Soon the third term will be over and we are very busy at school. We have a lot of tests in different subjects. By the way, Anya is helping us with our English homework now. We had some events recently. Do you know the meaning of the 23d of February? It is the Country Defender’s Day. It is a day when we congratulate all the boys, not only those who have already been soldiers. We usually give small gifts to our boys. Then we move on to the 8th of March, which is Women’s Day here in Russia. Do you have a similar holiday?

We hope to see you again very soon. We also hope that you all stay warm, healthy and happy.

Best regards

from your Russian children at Sovietsk orphanage

Dear friends,

Sovietsk is so beautiful now. Though there is still a lot of snow, it’s not as cold there. The children are happy and busy with the school and continue to be involved in each other’s lives.

We have added another activity during my visits. We not only talk, play games, watch films and presentations and do crafts, we also study English and German together. I help them to do their homework. I am really happy that they are interested in studying foreign languages.

Last time I visited we did a very interesting activity. We did bouquets with sweets from paper. The children loved it. Some boys decided to give them to the caregivers. It was very nice.

Children are asking about the next visit of Sarah, Ben, Katherine and Jen. They love you and miss you very much.

Thank you for you kindness!

From Ann Butorova

Dear friends,

This holiday season was an interesting time. We had several events that are worth speaking about. First of all, we took part in the regional ecological competition and took the second place. It was very interesting and the children worked really hard. Then we took part in the local skiing competition and also won the second prize. It was a team competition. Some of our children, Tolya N. and Lena M., were also baptized this month. The caregivers and the director are the godparents for them. We think this is a very important for our children because they won’t feel loneliness anymore. Also, during Epiphany we went to the church and bathed in the font. The children were very excited! Not very long ago we had a nice entertainment program for boys and girl devoted to St. Valentine’s Day, 23d of February and 8th of March. It was a lot of fun, especially dancing on the piece of newspaper and singing.

That is all for now. We all pray for you and think about you very often.

Sincerely,

From Angelika Nikolaevna

Dear Friends,

We are having a nice time here. Most of the children are healthy. Nikita N and Nastya G are feeling unwell, but we hope that soon they will recover. We are busy with the renovation of the first and second group. We hope to finish them soon. During the summer holidays we are planning to do the other 2 groups. Everything is OK. The graduates visited us this month and it is great to know that our children stay healthy and find their way and place in life.

We are preparing for spring now. We will be cleaning everything and soon we’ll celebrate Shrovetide with pancakes and games in the open air.

That is all for now. Stay healthy and don’t forget about us!

From Anisiya Pavlovna Vachreneva

Waving goodbye

2011-03-20T20:35:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of taking a run on a beautiful spring evening today. Shortly into my run I went by a little league soccer practice. I immediately became nostalgic for the football pitch behind Sovietsk Orphanage. I've had a lot of fun there playing pick up games, losing at banana, or watching others play. I was reminded of one young man in particular we've mentioned before on this blog who has shown a lot of promise as a soccer player, but hasn't been particularly open with us. When we visited last September he, along with the orphanage director and some other kids from the orphanage, were invited to an athletic competition. They left the same day that we left for home, but we were able to see them off. As they were driving away we waved goodbye to them. Some of the kids waved enthusiastically back to us but he remained indifferent. But as they drove around to the other side of the building on their way out we took a shortcut to the other side so that we could wave goodbye to them again. The second time he actually cracked a smile and waved back. A small gesture I realize, but it was a good reminder for us that you just have to keep trying. Sometimes you won't get a response for a while, or at all. But it's worth it to keep trying.

Sending Smiles

2011-02-26T15:44:00.003-05:00

Some of these kiddos at Sovietsk just don't smile enough. It's understandable. When you've lost your family and feel rejected by the ones you love most, why should you smile? These children are cautious when it comes to trusting people, and they are guarded from showing emotions. They've been vulnerable before, to disastrous results. So one thing we strive to do with these children is bring a few more smiles.

That's why I love this picture! We're visiting the Sovietks history museum which had a special wax figure display. So, you see Kolai, me, Zhenya, and Piotr the great in the background. You can see a glimmer of smile on Kolai's face, and Zhenya's eyes are smiling. He tried to hold it in, but the smile comes through.

We met Kolai last year, in 2009, for the first time. He's had a hard life, and he is a sweet young man. He and Ben spent a good amount of time together working and playing soccer, and he is very personable. We've known Zhenya since our very first visit to Sovietsk. This is the FIRST time he's spent an extended period of time with us, accepted hugs, and shown a glimmer of smile. It warmed my heart and brought me to tears when we left. After 4 visits and many, many letters, maybe he buys it. Maybe he knows we're not kidding, and we truly care about him. He's among the oldest at the orphanage now, and he was so proud of his position as a leader. We are so proud of him.

Writing letters and sending photos is a great chance to send smiles to these kids. When I write, I like to use the word 'smile' every so often, maybe sharing a memory about them that makes me smile. Reading the world smile often leads the reader to smile, and smiling increases oxytocin and other positive hormones while decreasing stress hormones. This is SO healthy for our over-stressed, under-smiling children. If you want to do your part in sending a smile, let me know and we'll connect you with a child to whom you can write and send your love.

Thanks for caring about these special children!

2011-01-28T16:39:00.007-05:00

I want to introduce you to a friend of Sovietsk Orphanage. His name is Father Nikolai and he is the priest at the Orthodox Church just down the street from the orphanage. A number of the children at Sovietsk Orphanage have been baptized by Father Nikolai and he has taken it upon himself to look after their spiritual needs. We fully support Father Nikolai and believe that spiritual health is part of being a well rounded person. We spent a few hours with him and he was very warm, welcoming, and kindhearted. And he has an amazing beard. He took us on a tour of his church, which was founded before the United States existed. He shared with us the history of the church and the persecution it experienced through the years, especially at the hand of the Soviet government. We'll have more on Father Nikolai and the time we spent with him later.

Bikes and Skis

2011-01-13T08:24:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first to say that it has been TOUGH keeping up with Sovietsk the last half of 2010. Thanks for sticking with us. A new year brings a new opportunity to work even harder for these kiddos!
While we saw a decline in sponsorship (which we are working hard to reverse) and giving, we have also engaged some new, enthusiastic donors (for whom we are so grateful!).

One gentlemen, who has been like family for years upon years, has taken it to heart to provide bikes for all of the kids of Sovietsk. He heard how the bikes help kids get to school, get out in the community, and even get to work in some cases. This was important to him, but even more important was the idea that kids just need to be kids. He believes that kids deserve to play, to experience the freedom of zipping around on a bicycle. So he is working hard at funding bikes for all the kids!

To go a step further, in Russia, bikes work about half the year. The orphanage staff has asked him to consider skis as another option, since cross-country skis are not only useful transportation, but will allow the children to compete with other children throughout the winter.

The donor's response? Skis, bikes, wagons, whatever makes the children feel loved.

Can you help us out? We've purchased bikes and skis before, but not enough for the entire orphanage. And when we're talking 34 kids, ages 7-18, there is a lot of need to make sure every child gets a chance.

We're waiting to hear just how much we need to raise to cover all these kids. If you are interested, visit http://www.hopechest.org/ and click Give. Please enter "Sovietsk fund" or "Sovietsk Bikes and Skis" in the notes section.

Thank you for continuing to love our kids!

And Happy New Year!

Will you sponsor Armik?

2011-01-10T08:55:00.000-05:00

While Russians conducted gift-giving and feasting on New Years, they reserve Christmas for religious observance. Orthodox Christmas was last week, January 7th. Would you consider honoring Russian Christmas, as well as our tradition of giving Christmas gifts, by contributing financially or sending letters to the children in Sovietsk Orphanage? Would you consider making 2011 the year you become a sponsor of a child in need?

Armik is 11 years old and came to the orphanage this year with his 16 year old brother Sasha, his 7 year old brother Lonya, and his 6 year old sister Toma. Armik is very quiet and reserved, and he is having a hard time adjusting to orphanage life. Armik has been essentially raised by his brother Sasha for a few years now, and he is learning what it means to be part of a larger community. Armik has some barriers to overcome to catch up with his peers. Sponsorship can help him gain medical and educational assistance and show him he is loved and cherished by a special someone half a world away.

Will you be Armik’s sponsor? Through sponsorship, American friends connect one-on-one with children at the orphanage through letters, prayer, and financial support. For $34 a month (that’s $408 a year), the children receive financial assistance for educational and medical needs, regular visits from mentor Anya, and birthday and Christmas parties. While ideally sponsors stay connected to the children through their entire time at the orphanage, a minimum one-year sponsorship is encouraged.

Sponsorship payments may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly by check, credit card, or EFT. Sponsors are encouraged to write one letter, one page long, once a month. It’s a simple task with a HUGE impact! Or, if sponsorship is too great a commitment, you can always donate at http://www.hopechest.org/ or with checks payable to Children’s HopeChest. Please mark the memo line Sovietsk Fund. If you are interested in sponsoring Armik or any of the other children at Sovietsk Orphanage in Kirov, Russia, please send me an email.

And Happy New Year!

2011-01-07T16:18:00.002-05:00

С Рождеством Христовым! С наступающим Новым Годом! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends and loved ones at home and in our Russian home. Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January according to the Julian calendar. On this holiday we pray that our friends at Sovietsk Orphange may experience the peace and joy of Christmas. And we offer our best wishes to them for 2011. As always, if you'd like to become involved in the life of a lonely child, drop me a line.

Another newsletter update

2010-12-19T20:37:00.005-05:00

Here's an update from the wonderful discipler at Sovietsk Orphanage, Anya:

Dear Friends,

The fall is over. It was the first several months of studies and of course it's difficult for children to get used to studies after a long summer break. But they are doing their best. This year one of the schools is under repair. That is why many children study in different schools.... Practically all children are healthy now, though some of them have a runny nose and cough. The weather has changed dramatically. It is cold and windy now. That is why it is also a bit cold in the orphanage. But very soon the windows will be replaced with new double-glazed windows.

As you know, two of the graduates, both named Lena, will stay in the orphanage for two more years, as they decided to continue their education in high school. The new children have accommodated themselves very well. There is one boy with hearing problem, Lonya. He can't write or speak, but he can communicate well. He can express his ideas, desires and wishes. But I can't explain to him the purpose of writing letters. If someone can write to him and send pictures, please do! He will be grateful and we'll write back or at least draw a picture.

Please write! The children are waiting!

Anya

If anyone is interested in writing letters to any of the children, please e-mail me and we can get you started. Thanks!

Grandfather Frost!

2010-12-12T19:35:00.002-05:00

While we've been focusing on stepping up sponsorship for our kids, we understand that $408 is a big commitment for many people. But because sponsorship funds are low, New Years funds are low for our kids this year. In Russia, New Years brings a party, gifts, and Grandfather Frost with Sneguruchka, his granddaughter snow princess. (Christmas is reserved for religious festivities.)

Would you please consider contributing towards New Years celebrations this year? You can donate either through the tab on the right, or at www.hopechest.org. (Click Give, then enter RU0506 Grandfather Frost in the notes.) Or, you can give Ben or I a check payable to Children's HopeChest. Remember, letters are always welcome!

Please remember the sting of winter is even colder for children who have been abandoned by their families. We want them to feel our warmth and love. We want to remind them that they are not alone, but they have friends around the world who think of them and care for them. Will you consider helping? Blessings to all of you!

2010-12-10T13:11:00.001-05:00

Below are some updates from the kids at Sovietsk Orphanage taken from the latest sponsorship newsletter. Stay tuned for more.

"I think I can speak on behalf of all children here in Sovietsk by saying we are so happy to receive your letters. Thank you very much for your kind words and interesting stories. Sometimes when it feels lonely or sad, your letters make it easier to overcome the difficulties and being in a bad mood."

--Nadia

"I would like to tell you about our summer. It was really hot. We planted potatoes in the garden and then we were watering in the entire summer, as there was no rain. The flowers were really beautiful this summer. Our cat was pregnant. We were alright: healthy and cheerful. Many of us went to different summer camps."

--Larisa

It Ain't Workin'!

2010-12-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

On our recent trip to Sovietsk I had the opportunity to sit down and play guitar with some of the boys. (The girls play, too, but this was intended to be male bonding time.) One of the young fellas asked me to show him how to play a C chord. I put his fingers in the right spot and told him to press down and then strum. He did okay at first but before long his fingers got tired and the chord started to break down. Soon it was just an atonal plunking sound. He then looked up at me and said in Russian, "IT AIN'T WORKIN'!" Before I knew it I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe, and then our interpreter started laughing, and soon the aspiring guitarist was laughing. I couldn't explain then or now why it was so funny, but it was positively hilarious. There's not really much of a point to this story other than it was good to share a moment of levity with a kid who really needed one. My young friend had some traumatic experiences that led him to living in the orphanage and it was good to share that moment of laughter with him.

Introducing Toma

2010-12-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Remember Lonya? The sweet little guy with hearing impairment? We haven't found his sponsor yet, sad to say. We haven't given up, but with December here, we’d love to introduce you to his sister, Tamara.

Tamara is 6 years old and came to the orphanage this year with her 16 year old brother Sasha, her 11 year old brother Armik, and of course, her 7 year old brother Lonya. Tamara, or Toma, hid for hours when we first arrived, but we eventually saw her sweet and playful nature. Toma would run up to the group, then run away. She would peek around the corner, giggle, and hide. By the time we broke out the face painting fun, she was a part of the group. She loves to make funny faces and has the sweetest smile.

Toma has been essentially raised by her brother Sasha for a few years now, and she is starting to make up for lost time. Sponsorship can help her gain medical and educational assistance and show her that she is loved and cherished by a special someone half a world away.

Will you be Toma’s sponsor? Through sponsorsehip, American friends connect one-on-one with children at the orphanage through letters, prayer, and financial support. For $34 a month (that’s $408 a year), the children receive financial assistance for educational and medical needs, regular visits from mentor Anya, and birthday and Christmas parties. While ideally sponsors stay connected to the children through their entire time at the orphanage, a minimum one-year sponsorship is encouraged.

Sponsorship payments may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly by check, credit card, or EFT. Sponsors are encouraged to write one letter, one page long, once a month. It’s a simple task with a HUGE impact!

If you are interested in sponsoring Tamara or any of the other children at Sovietsk Orphanage in Kirov, Russia, please drop us a note or leave a comment. We know you'll be glad you did!

Just Showing Up

2010-11-27T19:14:00.003-05:00

I've learned over the past few years that one of the most important things I can do for the kids at Sovietsk Orphanage is to just show up. I have at times been unsure of how to relate to and connect with these kids I see for one week a year. But I tried something new on our latest trip. I decided to just be there and live in the moment. And most important, I learned to stop trying so hard to connect and just look them in the eye and give them a pat on the back. I think the same idea can be applied to writing letters to these kids. I hear a lot of people asking what to write about in these letters. I understand completely. But really there's not much to it. Just tell them what you did that day, or tell them about a good book you just read, or a movie you just watched. You get the idea. It's easy and it doesn't take long. It's really just a matter doing it.

For me?

2010-11-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

A charming bit of Russian culture is the giving of gifts. I'm not talking about giving gifts at birthdays and Christmas. We've experienced the tradition of giving gifts to your host or visitor as a show of gratitude. One of the special things we like to do for the kids when we visit is to take each of them a gift bag that is all their own. We like to give them things that are fun but also useful. Flashlights, stress balls, gel pens, stationary, lip balm, sugarless chewing gum... you get the idea. The kids who have been there awhile aren't surprised when we give them out, but they're still grateful. But I have them most fun giving them out to the new kids who've never gotten one before. When I handed the gift to one of the new boys he looked at me with big eyes and a tiny voice and said, "minya?" or "for me?" And I replied with a hearty, "da!" It's rare for these kids to have something to call their very own. We're not trying to make them into greedy Americanized consumers. We just want them to feel a little bit special.

Yogis and Yoginis

2010-11-14T20:33:00.005-05:00

One of our travelers, Katherine, is working toward her certification as a yoga teacher. We are so thrilled that she led two evenings of yoga practice for our children.

At first, it was tough to get everyone settled, with our rambunctious little boys who had never done yoga before. With some time, patience, and a few extra adults walking around the room, we settled into a lovely practice.

Two children in particular, Natasha and Sasha P, were amazingly connected and grounded. It doesn't surprise me at all that those children have spent the least time in the orphanage--they just arrived this summer.

Experiencing trauma, such as violence, abuse, or losing your family for any reason, changes the brain. So does being in an institution. Our children struggle with self-regulation. Many are overly sensitized and hypervigilant, with elevated heart rates and shortened breath. Others are under-responsive and lethargic. Yoga is a wonderfully therapeutic way to calm the mind and reconnect to the body. Yoga can connect people to their centers and help them find their power. Many people around the world have found yoga practice to be a healing experience, and the same can be true for our children!

One of my favorite parts of this trip was at the end of yoga practice, seeing a roomful of our children in savasana, completely relaxed and at peace. It was simply beautiful.

All People Yoga Center is working with Katherine to provide yoga mats, supports, and practice for our children at the orphanage. If you're interested in contributing, please leave a comment and we'll be in touch.

Meet Lonya

2010-11-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

When we arrived at Sovietsk this year, one of the first questions new director Alexei asked was “How can we find more sponsors for the children?”

Sponsorship is the lifeblood of our collective work at Sovietsk. American friends connect one-on-one with children at the orphanage through letters, prayer, and financial support. For $34 a month (that’s $408 a year), the children receive financial assistance for educational and medical needs, regular visits from mentor Anya, and birthday and Christmas parties. While ideally sponsors stay connected to the children through their entire time at the orphanage, a minimum one-year sponsorship is encouraged. Sponsorship payments may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly by check, credit card, or EFT. Sponsors are encouraged to write one letter, one page long, once a month. It’s a simple task with a HUGE impact!

In an effort to find sponsors for all 24 of the waiting children at Sovietsk, we are focusing on finding a sponsor for one child each month.

Meet Lonya. Lonya is 7 years old and came to the orphanage this year with his 16 year old brother Sasha, his 11 year old brother Armik, and his 6 year old sister Tamara. Lonya has 30% of his hearing. The doctors believe he had little hearing at birth, though there is some speculation he lost some at age 3 in an accident. After coming to the orphanage in May, Lonya received hearing aids for the first time in his life. Though at times he is overwhelmed, Lonya is a little sponge, soaking up language skills and sounds all the time! He is expert at communicating through animated gestures and is beginning to read lips and mimic sounds. He loves taking photographs and is purposeful and artistic when composing them. Lonya needs financial assistance to get picture cards and other visual materials to expand his language. Lonya will be attending a special school in town for children who have hearing impairment, and Lonya will continue to be evaluated by specialists to determine the best approach in treatment and education. Lonya is a sweet, loving boy who enjoys his siblings and playing games at the orphanage. Sponsorship can help him meet his full potential and show him that he is loved and cherished by a special someone half a world away.

If you are interested in sponsoring Lonya or any of the other children at Sovietsk Orphanage, please send me an email. We hope to hear from you!

Poverty isn't the problem... yet.

2010-10-25T21:12:00.006-04:00

After sharing photos and stories from our recent trip with a friend, he was surprised to see that the children at the orphanage weren't living in dire poverty. I guess I can understand his reaction. I think we have some sort of Dickensian notion of what children at an orphanage should look and act like, a la Oliver Twist. But grinding poverty isn't the salient problem that these kids are facing. In the orphanage they are well fed and clothed. They're looked after by a kindhearted staff. The biggest problem is that they don't get to live with parents who love them. And there's of course the stigma and the lack of opportunity that comes from being permanently labeled an "orphan." But don't misunderstand me. The kids still don't have a lot of stuff to call their own. What we're trying to do with the programming and the support that we offer to the orphanage director and his staff is to help create opportunities for the children to overcome the negative stereotypes working against them so they can find ways to succeed in life against all odds. Poverty isn't the problem yet and maybe it won't ever be a problem if these great kids can have a chance to prove to everyone else what we already know to be true. If you'd like to get involved in making a difference for these kids, please let us know.

The Reality of Personal Relationship

2010-10-16T18:21:00.001-04:00

Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything. — Thomas Merton

I am a social worker. As a profession, we have worked hard to establish data in measurable outcomes that shows the results of our work--proof that we have specialized helping skills, proof that we deserve to be a profession, and proof that what we're doing is actually working. We use these results to develop techniques and programs based on evidence of what works in attempt to make them the most effective for the people we serve. Important stuff!

But here's the thing: all the programming in the world can't heal someone who is genuinely lonely, truly heartbroken. Sometimes the most therapeutic thing I can do for the kids I see here is to show up on time, every time, do what I say I'm going to do, and treat them with lovingkindness and respect. These are kids who have seen things most of us have only seen in nightmares, and God bless them, they are working so hard to become healthy and whole again. They also have the benefit of joining a family, and when it's a healthy family who loves them and is committed to their wellbeing, that's the best kind of therapy around.

Our kids at Sovietsk are in a different boat. Most of them will not be going home to families. In fact, last I heard, of the nearly 3 million children in Russian orphanages only .018% will be adopted.

What do we do? It can be so discouraging.

A wonderful young man Ben and I have invested in deeply is struggling beyond our imagination right now. He's on his own and without a nurturing family to support him. We feel helpless, and we hurt for him.

What do we do?

Tending toward the philosophical, Ben and I take this a step further, wondering how our work at the orphanage truly makes a difference. Throwing money is not sustainable--both because we don't have the money to throw and because donations can only take the children so far.

We have focused on programs which invest in the future for these children: psychological support, medical treatment, educational opportunities, skill-building and preparation for life beyond the orphanage. But without the love of a family, they only go so far.

So, this year, we are back to basics: sponsorship and travel. The Reality of Personal Relationships. We are more than happy to accept funds and donations for special projects and medical needs--we gladly accept any and all! But more than that, we want to continue to build a family for these children. That is, after all, what all children need.

Please stay tuned for more opportunities to join the family of these 35 children who are living without one. Believe me, it's among the most rewarding things I've ever done.

NEW PHOTOS!

2010-10-10T19:02:00.006-04:00

We've put up some slideshows from our most recent trip to Sovietsk. Look along the right side of this page to see the new photos. You can see what we did during our picnic in Dolbylova, updated photos of each kid, some pictures from our face painting activity, and or our evening in Moscow. We'll be adding more soon so keep checking back for updates.

Sponsorship Matters

2010-10-02T13:33:00.004-04:00

It's so hard for us to communicate to people who haven't visited the orphanage how important letters and sponsorship are. Each child receives it differently. Some are shy but enamored. Some are slow to trust but learn over time. Some are eagerly waiting for a sponsor. Some write beautiful letters. Some children are around only a short time, others are around for the long haul. One little guy, Sergey, is a big fan of his sponsor John.

Sergey has never met John, but they have been linked since sponsorship began in 2007. This year, on our very first evening, Sergey asked me enthusiastically "Do you know John?" I do, and I shared some about his interests and how we think he's a great guy. Sergey asked if he was ever coming to visit, but understood that it is difficult. He shared that he loves getting letters and photos and stated confidently "We've been friends for a long time."

For a boy living in an institution with no family, his sponsor has become Uncle John. Through consistent communication and simple, kind words, Sergey has learned over the last 3 years that he is loved and valued, even from half a world away.

With so many new children at the orphanage, we have 24 children waiting for sponsorship. The first question the new director asked us was how we can get more sponsors. Please, if you are interested in sponsoring at all, send me a note and I'll give you more information. We'll be featuring a child for sponsorship each month, so tell your friends!

Fresh Veggies

2010-09-28T16:08:00.005-04:00

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!!!

2010-09-20T15:08:00.004-04:00

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.

Last Call--Supply Drive!

2010-08-30T18:23:00.002-04:00

We're leaving soon, so the supply drive is wrapping up! We're collecting the last few bits this week. We're still looking for a few wooden massagers, jars of nail polish, lip balms or lip glosses, small photo albums, gel pens, stationary sets, and-sugarless gum with xylitol. Any money collected at this point will go toward programming--super important.

AND we're collecting LETTERS!!!!! Don't forget, the letters are the best thing we can bring. Anything that gets to us by Sept 7 can go with us.

We're getting excited to see our kids again! Thanks to all of you, generous Sovietsk Supporters!

What $20 Can Do

2010-08-26T21:02:00.004-04:00

At Under the Sun cafe a few weeks back, a kind woman (with a pretty voice) contributed $20 towards the Sovietsk fund drive. She apologized, saying that was all she had. I responded, with gratitude, "Do you know what we can do with $20?" We can
-purchase gift bags for four children, OR
-purchase supplies for a fun (and therapeutic) activity, such as face painting, OR
-purchase items just for fun, like a movie or smores at the bonfire, OR
-supply a child with personal care products for the year, OR
-supply 2 children with cold weather gear, OR
-purchase much-needed school supplies, OR
-purchase a bus ticket for Seryozha to come back from his village to see us.

Any ideas what our top priority is?

In reality, we'll be able to do many of those things--possibly even all of those things--because of simple generosity of $5 here, $10 there. Every year, it seems we hit a point where we wonder if it will all come together. And every year, the small and large donations add up, and we are able to share generously with the children at Sovietsk.

We know things are tight financially for many people now--believe us, we know! But we also know that it feels good to give, and that small gifts make a big impact. Remember the woman who gave all she had?

Last year, in the emotional family talk that preceded this photo, Sergey shared one of his greatest fears about graduation was that he wouldn't be able to see us anymore. Thank you, kind donors, for helping to ease his fears.

Latest Supply Drive Update!

2010-08-26T19:00:00.002-04:00

Had lunch with a lovely friend who writes to one of our kids, and now it's time to update the supply list! Gotta love good deals and dollar bins. :) THANK YOU!!!

Still need:
-30 stress balls (preferably with gel inside and faces are great)
-33 wooden massagers
-10 jars of nail polish
-25 lip balms or lip glosses
-27 small photo albums
-19 gel pens
-26 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

And, of course, $$ and letters are always welcome. :)

Another Supply Drive Update

2010-08-23T22:11:00.004-04:00

The trip is coming up very soon and we're getting pretty excited. The good news is that we've gotten some items donated recently. Some very nice people have purchased flashlights and batteries for all 33 kids! But we still have some work to do. So here's an update on what we still need for our supply drive:

-30 stress balls (preferably with gel inside and faces are great)
-33 wooden massagers
-16 jars of nail polish
-33 lip balms or lip glosses
-31 small photo albums
-31 gel pens
-28 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

We're also looking for people to write letters to the kids for us to take with us. On the right side of the blog you'll find some tips and guidelines for writing letters. If you'd like to write a letter, simply comment on this post and we'll get in touch with you.

You can also of course donate money to the Sovietsk Fund at Children's HopeChest (hopechest.org). This money goes toward supplies and programming.

Thanks to everyone who has chipped in. It always comes together every year.

New Friends and Supply Update

2010-08-15T18:09:00.003-04:00

This morning, Ben and I visited Whiteland UMC at their Under the Sun Cafe to share about our kids at Sovietsk. We had a great time meeting new people and left very encouraged. Thank you Dennis, Ginger, Pastor Joe, and everyone who welcomed us so warmly!

At the church, a lovely woman donated a huge amount of top quality scrapbooking supplies. After sorting through them, I am even more moved by her generosity. THANK YOU! We are so excited to share these with the kids and help them begin their lifebooks, a big help in their journey to understand their identities.

The supply drive is well underway! We are still hoping for:
-33 stress balls (preferably with gel inside, and faces are great!)
-33 wooden massagers
-17 mini flashlights + batteries (though this may be taken care of!)
-16 jars of nail polish
-33 lip balms/lip glosses
-31 small photo albums
-31 gel pens
-28 stationary sets
-toy fruits and vegetables
-sugarless gum with xylitol

$1 stores and bargain bins are great places to find these items.

Cash always works as well. :) Thanks to those of you who have sent funds for programs and travel, and for others who have contributed funds toward the supply drive (so we can purchase items to fill the gaps).

In other exciting news, we are expecting to bring 4 laptops with us to leave at the orphange. We are so grateful!!

Finally, don't forget, letters are the best thing we can bring. We can always bring more of those. Thanks to everyone who is sending their love.

It's Supply Drive Time Again!

2010-08-04T22:04:00.005-04:00

We are heading back to Russia in just over a month. If you’d like to be a part of our trip, you can help us as we collect supplies to take to the orphanage.

Last year’s gift packs were a huge hit. The kids were so surprised and proud to receive special items just for them!

This year, we’re hoping for: 33 stress balls (preferably with gel inside, and faces are great!), 33 wooden massagers, 17 mini flashlights + batteries, 16 jars of nail polish, 33 lip balms/lip glosses , 33 small photo albums, 33 gel pens, toy fruits and vegetables, sugarless gum with xylitol, glow-in-the dark stickers, scrapbooking supplies (stickers and paper), and stationary.

$1 stores and bargain bins are great places to find these items.

If you'd like to donate items, please leave a comment and we will get in touch you.

Encouragement!

2010-07-26T21:02:00.005-04:00

Just when we're starting to get discouraged by a few obstacles, we get these letters. We can't wait to get back and see our kids! Of course, these letters are for you too. Please write back and send letters with us--the children love to hear from you!

Kid’s Space…

Dear American Friends,

Thank you very much for your letters! We hope that this year Sarah, Ben, Jen, Katherine, Steve, Barb and maybe some other friends will visit us in our home. We are very busy now. We started to plant vegetables in our garden and shape up the flowerbeds near the orphanage. Soon the school year will be over. We all try to improve our results over previous years’ marks. Some of us will take the very difficult State Certificate Exam. We all are waiting for the summer break and hope to see you again! Love, Sasha I., Katya M., Yulya O.

Discipler’s Update…

Dear Friends,

May is a very busy month for the orphanage. The kids and the staff are busy gardening, building the greenhouse, and working hard. The children spend most of their time outdoors. The boys play basketball and football, and the girls enjoy swinging or playing hide and seek.

The children are happy because school will be over soon. Some of them will go to different camps while others will be taken to their families in Dolbilovo, and six children will enter various tech schools. Of course now they still have a lot to do. Some children, like Lida V. and Vova L. try to improve their results and finish school with good grades.

Almost all of the children are healthy. Arthur G. had the flu but was discharged from the hospital making Sonya, his sister, very happy. She visited him practically every day. Unfortunately Lena Z. was recently hospitalized with a high temperature. Katya M. and Nastya G. visit her and support her.

Not very long ago Oksana G. (last year graduate) visited the orphanage. It was a real event! The girls were so happy to see her. Lena M., Yulya O., and Nastya G. saw her off on the bus and then went home on foot. It’s nearly 3 km.

The children are waiting for the American group in summer or autumn. They are asking about the dates because even the graduates want to come and see Sarah and Ben.

From Ann Butorova

Caregiver’s Corner…

Dear Friends,

The staff and the caregiver send you best wishes from Sovietsk. We are having a nice time here. We are really busy! We are preparing for the summer period. As in previous years we work outdoors planting different vegetables and flowers. This year we held a competition in which each group drew a picture of the flowerbeds. Then we put them to a vote and choose the best one. Now we are completing this project. It’s beautiful! Last weekend we planted potatoes.

Our cultural life is also very rich. We had many events devoted to the celebration of the Victory in The Great Patriotic War. We made hand-made flowers, went to the parade, met with the veterans, gave them the cards and flowers, and had a great concert here.

We took part in two competitions: exhibition “May 9” for which we made origami tanks and planes, flowers, embroidered poppies and a wooden order) and exhibition “Together with the Master” for which we made hand-made dolls. We were awarded 2nd and 1st place prizes! We were very proud of our children.

We hope to meet with you again.
Thank you very much for everything you are doing for us.

From Angelika Nikolaevna

Director’s Notes…

Dear Friends,

These months were very rich in different events. We did a great job and were very pleased with our children. You know this generation of children does not understand the value and the price of victory because they didn’t see the difficulties of war. At least that’s what we thought. But our children were very attentive to the veterans. They said such warm words to them and were so thankful that we were thrilled to see their appreciation of the veterans and that they understood why we celebrate May 9 as a national holiday.

Now we are busy in the garden. We are trying to build a greenhouse. But we do not really have budget money for this. We really need it because we would like our children to eat fresh vegetables as long as possible. It is very healthy, you know.
Thanks to your sponsorship we are able to continue organizing box and football sections. We are also sending children to summer camps and resorts in different towns. Some of them will be taken by our volunteer families again. Our grads will take exams soon so please pray for their success. It is very sad to part with them, but life goes on. This month new children came to our orphanage: Nastyas and Stas. We will do everything for them as long as we can. Please pray for us. Together we’ll make life for these children better.

God bless you!

From Anisiya Pavlovna Vachreneva

Prayer Requests…

Please pray for our grads and the staff of Sovietsk orphanage and also for the children who are ill or in the hospital now.

From Ben & Sarah, please pray that we will continue to find the funds for just what the children need.

Blessings to each of you!

Orphanage Hymn

2010-07-17T14:45:00.003-04:00

The song below was written by one of the music tutors at Sovietsk Orphanage. It's a really sweet song that all the kids sang for us when we were there last year. The English translation is below. Maybe we'll be able to see along with them this time around.

1. Начиналась жизнь наша с трудностей
Нет, вины нашей не было в том
Он нас принял с любовью и нежностью
Детства причал, санаторный наш дом

Chorus:

Родной детский дом
Начало начал
Ты в жизни моей
Надежный причал
Родной детский дом
Пускай много лет
Горит в твоих окнах добрый свет

2. принесли мы поклон воспитателям
За богатую щедрость души
Мы пред вами в долгу неоплаченном
Будем помнить об этом всю жизнь

3. Мы встречаемся здесь с нашей юностью
Вспоминаем былые года
Все что дорого, все, что нам помнится
Сохраним в душе навсегда

1. We began our life with difficulties, through no fault of our own. We are accepted with love and tenderness in childhood security at our sanatorium house.

Chorus:
Native orphanage, beginning of the beginnings. You are the life of my safety, Native orphanage. Let there be many years. The good light burns in your windows.

2. We bow to educators for their rich generosity. We are in your debt and we will remember this our entire life.

3. We meet here with our youth and recall the years. All which is dear, let us remember in our souls forever.

Banana

2010-06-30T21:40:00.006-04:00

In light of the ongoing World Cup I thought I'd write a bit about my experience with soccer in Russia. During our visit to Sovietsk last September I had the chance to prove once again that Americans are worse at soccer than Russians. Since males need activities in order to carry on a conversation, it's fortunate that we had plenty of opportunities to play together.

One type of game in particular is called "banana." The name probably has something to do with the half cirlce formation that the players stand in around the goal. The rules are pretty complicated and it took me a while to catch on. One person plays goalie while the others try to score. You can't touch the soccer ball twice in a row and you have to kick the ball into the goal from the air and not the ground. If someone kicks the ball out of bounds, they end up as the goalie. You can also end up as goalie if you break one of the other rules that I didn't understand and constantly broke. I played A LOT of goalie. But I had so much fun. It made a memory for me and gave me something to write to the boys about and say "remember when we played banana and it was hilarious." I think I'll brush up my skills so I don't spend so much time as goalie now. ...Ah well, who am I kidding?

Big Fundraiser!!

2010-06-27T18:21:00.004-04:00

With some craziness behind us and the trip fast approaching, we will be in high gear on fundraising, supply drives, and letter drives. First up, thanks to one of our lovely travelers, an Independence Day Block Party!

Ok, these kids won't be there. This is from last year's Potato Festival in Sovietsk. But we'll be thinking of them and hoping to raise lots of money!

SATURDAY, JULY 3, 5:00 PM
Dinner at 6:30 PM, Fireworks at 10:00PM
SOMMERWOOD AT NOBLESVILLE housing addition
Email me for driving directions.

The event features water slides, a bounce house, a climbing wall, face painting, caricatures, a Rock Band station, Fireworks, and LIVE Music!

REMEMBER TO BRING:
*Appetizer, side, or dessert to share (optional)
*Chairs/blankets and drinks for your family
*Kids’ towels and bathing suits for water slides
*Suggested donation of $20 per family
*Extra $$$ for tips and donations

Be ready to have a great time for a great cause!
Funds will go toward extracurricular programs such as sports and music, get-started gifts for the graduates, Vitamin D, and general support funds.
We hope to see you there!

Her Story

2010-05-17T21:13:00.004-04:00

We have received an influx of letters in the last few weeks. There's nothing I love more! I love hearing how everyone is doing and knowing they are getting my letters. It's heartwarming to have a connection on the other side of the world--for me and for the children who write.

One of my friends writes to a lovely young woman who happens to be a very talented artist. Now we know she is a talented writer as well. She sent a letter that is quite unique. For children at the orphanage, letter-writing can be very challenging. Many of us struggle to find words to share with children we have never met on the other side of the world. Imagine how hard it must be for those children to write to adults, Americans, they have never met--especially after having experiences with adults that have been far less than positive. So when this lovely young woman (who has my favorite Russian name) shared her story and a piece of her heart, it moved me to tears.

I believe she will do well and be successful. I believe her future is bright. She has skills and tools her peers do not, thanks largely to her life before her time at the orphanage. But she has experienced loss beyond her years. My heart is with her.

Here is part of her letter.

I was born in Kirov. I lived with my mom and friends. I have lots of friends. I used to visit my aunt every summer when I was a small girl. I ran the house and worked hard there. We did many things together with my aunt: we prepared firewoods, made pickles, went in the forest to pick mushrooms and berries. So you see we didn't have a spare minute there. And the thing is that we managed to do everything in time.

But sometimes it happens that the life becomes darker than black. Now I live in the orphanage in Sovietsk. But still I want to return home.

PARTY! and other news

2010-05-07T18:32:00.007-04:00

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about our fundraising efforts and other activities coming up.

Our big fundraiser will be held on July 3rd. It's going to be a really fun and family-oriented party to celebrate Independence Day. Lots of fun activities and tasty food. More details later, but mark your calendars and plan to attend. We're trying to raise money to support the extracurricular programming at the orphanage: music lessons, arts lessons, sports activities. We'd also like to raise some support to cover the travel costs of some folks going with us.

Thanks to some very generous donors, we received the balance of the money we needed for the life skills training course for the orphanage graduates to be held in June. This course is a great opportunity for the kids to learn about what they'll face in real life once they leave the orphanage.

We're planning to visit Sovietsk early this coming fall. We have a few spots open and we'd love to have you come along.

There are still plenty of kids without sponsors or pen pals. And there are lots of other ways to get involved in making life better for these great kids. Just let us know what you'd like to do.

Labels

2010-05-02T19:53:00.002-04:00

Once you label me, you negate me. --Soren Kierkegaard

Ok, I know I've been gone a long time. And we are getting really busy with the stuff of caring for Sovietsk--fundraising, trip planning, and the like. But this soon-to-be MSW who has studied philosophy since high school has been thinking a lot about the importance of language, especially concerning our children, and so it's time to post.

You may have noticed you won't find the word orphan on this blog--at least, not unless we are quoting someone else. That's quite on purpose. Why?

Because our children are hardly different than you or I, they just happen to not be living with parents at this time.
Because our children have experienced so many losses or traumas that you or I may be unable to comprehend, it seems ridiculous to boil that down into one word.
Because our children have big hearts, are strong and brave, and have entire lives ahead of them.
Because our children are more than orphans.

I get that labels are useful for simple organization. But we as Sovietsk Supporters are not census workers--we are family! We are here to love the children for who they are, each individually. We're so different from them, but we're also the same.

So, we might talk about children who have been orphaned. Or the kids who live at the orphanage. Or children who are particularly vulnerable to this or that predicament or who have experienced trauma or neglect.
But mostly, we will talk of this young woman, or that little boy. Or if it's not too private, we will just use their names. Because that is who they are.

The popular term for this kind of langage in service circles is 'people-first' langage. And it's so important! Think of all of the labels over time which have fallen from common use: Leper. Dumb. Idiot. One that starts with R-----. And countless racial labels. Why? Because they don't amount to a whole person! I am more than a wife, or a woman, or a White person, or my intelligence, or my failings,or my accomplishments. I am Sarah, Ben is Ben, and Katya is Katya.

So, if you see me cringe at the word orphan, I hope you understand.

Our friends in Russia

2010-04-15T11:15:00.005-04:00

Russia and its neighbors have been in the headlines a lot lately for all the turmoil happening in the region. From the train bombings in Moscow, terrorist attacks in Chechnya, the uprising in Kyrgystan, and the tragic plane crash in Poland... And the most recent story about the 7-year-old whose adoption was interupted by his mother, leading Russia to suspend U.S. adoptions of Russian childen. In the aftermath of all this difficult stuff, we want to let our Russian friends know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Simple Ways to Raise Money

2010-03-22T13:35:00.003-04:00

Sarah and I have decided that it's time to clean out our house and get rid of stuff we don't need. Need is, of course, a relative term I realize, nevertheless...

It turns out that some of the things we've decided to jettison are actually of some value. So far, we've made around $585 and we're not finished. Not bad. The money we raise is going to help fund our trip to Sovietsk Orphanage this year. We got this idea a couple of years ago from my brother, Dan, who was working at the time as the development director for Children's HopeChest. The campaign was pretty effective and it didn't really cost people anything other than some stuff they forgot they owned.

If you're interested in supporting the work of Children's HopeChest at Sovietsk Orphanage, then I would encourage you to take a look at doing the same thing in your house. You might be surprised. Let us know if you're planning to join us and we'll let you know how to make a tax-deductible donation.

Keep Current!

2010-03-14T20:29:00.004-04:00

We had a great meeting today brainstorming ways we can support the children of Sovietsk. It's been challenging to find funds for Russia during these economic times, with so much going on around the world. Over the next few months, we'll have some fun opportunities to chip in and make a big difference with a little effort. Please visit often to keep current! And, we started a group on Facebook, called Sovietsk Supporters. There are so many of you who don't know each other, we thought it could be fun to put all of our heads together. Please join and invite your friends! As always, we are thankful for each of you!

Above are our Russian friends who mean the world to our kids, and to us.

Happy Women's Day!

2010-03-07T20:43:00.011-05:00

Happy Women's Day to all of you! International Women's Day is celebrated every year on the 8th of March. Its origins date to the early 20th century with the Socialist Party in the United States. Before long, the holiday spread across the world, especially to the countries of the Soviet Union.

Women's Day is still celebrated to this day, in Russia and elsewhere. The holiday in Russia looks something like a cross between Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. But the point of Women's Day is to celebrate the many important contributions of women.

Beyond Russia, Women's Day is commemorated by organizations such as CARE, The Red Cross, and the United Nations as an opportunity to raise awareness and to uphold the rights of women. The meaning of International Women's Day is summarized well by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon:

"Gender equality and women’s empowerment are fundamental to the global mission of the United Nations to achieve equal rights and dignity for all... But equality for women and girls is also an economic and social imperative. Until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals -- peace, security, sustainable development -- stand in jeopardy."

I'm thankful for all of the strong, intelligent women in my life. I want to especially extend my gratitude to Galina, the director of Sovietsk Orphanage. She is an exceptional woman who works very hard to help make a better life for the kids at the orphanage.

Come Along

2010-02-20T18:25:00.007-05:00

It's nearly time to plan our next trip. Will you join us?

Here is a beautiful slideshow, still in progress, showing last year's trip from beginning to end. Thanks to Jen, a good friend and fellow traveler, for her love and care in putting this together!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Alcoholism in Russia

2010-02-09T21:41:00.005-05:00

Public Radio International's "The World" recently told the story of Alcoholism in Russia. Please follow the link and give it a listen; it's worth your time. This is something that, in one way or another, has an impact on the lives of our kids at Sovietsk.

Try Being in the Minority

2010-02-01T19:03:00.000-05:00

I've devoted a lot of brain space over the past few years to historical issues of race and ethnicity. It is one thing to undertake this as an academic exercise, but it's something else altogether to actually experience it. My brief and benign experience as a minority was nevertheless an enlightening one.

As a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant being a minority isn't something that I do very often. In fact, the only time is when we travel to Russia. I'm an American and most people there are Russian. Obviously. It's a strange feeling to know that everyone on the metro is looking at you because you aren't like them. I dress kind of funny to them, I speak a different language, and I tend to make eye contact with strangers. This makes me different and it's a pretty vulnerable feeling.

But there is a perhaps more subtle minority group into which Sarah falls, if only just a little. She looks a little bit Gypsy. (Or, to be politically correct, Roma). There's a good chance that because of her prominent Bohemian ancestry and her dark, curly hair that she does indeed have some Roma blood in her. On our most recent trip one of the Russian ladies remarked to Sarah that she looked like a Gypsy--and upon further discussion, we realized we have never seen anyone else in Russia with Sarah's hair (aside from some beautiful Roma children). Apparently there are some stereotypes that go along with this: Roma are good at music and equally adept at stealing. We've been advised to watch out for them because you just never know. Sarah is good at music, but she's never stolen anything.

Many Roma have more pronounced ethnic features: dark skin, hair and eyes, and perhaps a distinctive style of dress. Being Roma in Eastern Europe certainly brings its share of challenges. It's interesting to me to travel halfway around the world and run into the same sorts of (unearned) stereotypes for racial minorities that we have here in the U.S.

Legendary

2010-01-28T20:41:00.009-05:00

These are some treasured words poet Jaiya John delivered at the perfect time for me last year. As my heart filled with every emotion imaginable, I thought of Sveta, Anisa, Vadim, Galina, and all the dedicated caregivers at Sovietsk. I thought of Anya, Misha, Natty, Sveta, Lena, Olga, and all of the dedicated Fund Nadezhda staff in Russia. I thought of all the adoptive parents and child and family workers I have known. And I thought of you, Sovietsk Supporters.

________________________________

For all those who serve children with honor:

They call you social workers
but I drink my drinks from Legend
so I recall a time
when family and community
were one and the same
it was called a compound

and there were those people
of great sensitivity
entrusted by the adults
ratified by the elders to place their hand
upon the shoulders of children
and turn them to face a better wind

they call you social workers
I call you those who turn lives around

you seep into cracks
like salvation blood and fill up the spaces
so precious little ones won't fall through

they call you social workers
I call you spirit keepers
denizens of the light
I mean to say you reside
in a house called hope
and keep the light on
so babies and lost folk
can find the way home

they call you social workers
but the ground you till is not social
it is spiritual of the human spirit
it drips with black richness like strong coffee
picked from heaven's hills

the seeds you protect are not simply children
not simply tomorrow's daylight
but the reason for our past
and the purpose for our people to be
to be

I drink from Legend so I know
mud-caked fishermen work the banks of the Nile
and have a faith that Creation will grace
them with good catch even on stingy days
that they will be able to return home
to their families and fill bellies
with substance beyond yams
this is your name

and the griot
she's old and over by the stump
still got that reach even though her joints are stiff
still got that reach to go on
and pull ripened fruit of symbolism
and legacy from the highest tree branches
and the most introverted clouds

pickin' 'em and pickin' em
and puttin' 'em in her story basket
so that the young ones can fill their
minds with substance beyond what is
extending out to what ought to be
and what used to be

she just griot
and she old
but she young enough to set
young ones free
this . . . is your name

they call you social workers
in child welfare

I call you medicine women and men
in family welfare

I call you glue in the community
when rain come to pull things apart

I call you doctors priests healers
teachers palm readers fortune tellers
prophesiers negotiators mediators
advocators instigators pacifiers
storytellers truth dwellers
getting downright dirty
in shameful cellars
cleanin' up mess'
settin' crooked straight

child soul caressers
Man I call you masseuse

irrigators investigators neglect haters
keeper of the cage that carries the canary
deep into the dark of human caves
looking for that first sign of something foul
praising that first sign of something beautiful

and then there is this:
in a nation that says this community
is less than that one
and this family is less than that one
and this child is less than that one
and why bother with all that pain
they call you social workers who
go out and keep the faith

only one reason
one reason be
so far as I can see:
even the Blackest Brownest
poorest brokest community
is made up of beautiful
families and children
trying to get free

endowed with the full potential of the Universe
unshakable masterpieces of canvass untouched
by foolish nation using the wrong paintbrush

and you . . .
in the morning when you rise
you peel the frustration from your sleepy face
and wash it away down the sink
with all that dirt System puts in your way
and you walk clean out the door

cause you believe

you believe these children are good enough
these families are worth enough
these communities deserve enough
and you absolutely have what it takes enough

cause we don't ever make enough
money material status superficial dough
to ever let it be okay to let some folk
not even some kind of folk
slip for just one day

and I ask and I answer:
you have to be warriors
cause you fought my battle
you have to be magicians
cause you carried me over wide water
with your barest feet
you have to be the locksmith
helping somebody who cared
for this little Black boy
silent boy
lost boy

helping that somebody
turn the key and let me just be on my way
to being what I was put here to be

check:
don 't you ever think that
any one of these children could never
grow up to become legendary
we are not the wisdom of Creation
we occupy a more humble station
called imperfection
and from this rippled surface
the distorted reflection we are able to catch
is the Beauty of a day on down the path
when the storm calms itself
and quits its crying

warped reflection
in the mirror of child welfare
is the child fared well
is the day's bounty brought home
to somebody's hungry family
to fill bellies with substance
beyond yams

when I began this life
you were there
you carried me
first to a safe way station
then to my people who would
bring me up

child welfare
or child farewell?

I put my money on the honey
the sweet stuff
stories of success
cause I am one
cause you were one for me
triumphant that is
triumphant you were

I am the reason
you get up and go out to work
even in the bitter stretches
when fierce wind blows you back
and sharp sand stings your face

you lean not backward
you lean forward

and I
I can't just thank you
that would be understatement
I have to remind you of your
greatness and how you leave
it in your wake so a child like me
can come 'round and lap it up
and taste some sweetness

it tasted so good to me back then
you want to know why?
because I
I just wanted to be able to grow up
and have the chance to taste
some sweet potato pie

I didn't want to slip through the cracks
I didn't want to erode or fade away
and I didn't want to die
I just wanted to be able to grow up
so I could have some chance to taste some
sweet potato pie
cinnamon in my dreams
fresh from the oven
heavenly steam in my eye

there is something called the system
it is some parts working right
and some parts doing wrong
but then there is the one who toils
for the well-being of the child
made of flesh and spirit
some parts mad revolutionary
calling for change when everything around
seems to just want to sit still

some parts little child on the street corner
selling lemonade
trying to make some coin
so she can get what she wants
to make the day feel good
in the hood

and they
lemme see now
they . . .
call you social worker . . .

I call you Legendary.

I was one of the children . . .

3.28.00
Copyright 2008 by Jaiya John

This is our hundredth post. Thank you, thank you.

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2010-01-18T20:55:00.003-05:00

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. January is now National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The issue of modern day slavery is more prominent this month than it has been in a long, long time. All over the world, including in the US, vulnerable people are trapped in forced labor or forced sex slavery. Polaris Project is a great place to learn more. I have been working with Doma International to develop Project Green Light, a model for transforming communities into safe places for youth by prevention sex trafficking of minors. Along the way I've come across some startling information.

-There are 12 million people enslaved in the world today.
-Organized crime has found trafficking people to be more profitable and less punishable than trafficking drugs.
-The average age of entry into prostitution in the US is 12-14.

How does this happen? People answer ads for jobs which turn out to be scams, and their papers and possibilities are stolen. People fall in with other people who seem safe at first, but through psychological abuse, threats, or other coercion, are forced into a living nightmare. Or, people are simply forced--as is the case for 12 year old prostitutes. It happens to all kinds of people, especially people looking for hope and opportunity. Especially people like precious children in orphanages.

Children who leave Russian orphanages are at great risk for human trafficking, whether within Russia or beyond. These are young people who lack social connection, who have been institutionalized and lack understanding of the way society functions. They have limited opportunity and thrive on the lavish attention and praise human traffickers use to build trust with potential victims, and the criminals who exploit them know this very well. It is easy to search the web and find stories of Russian youth who were exploited--it is even easier to find a 'dating service' where men can find a Russian bride. And, once trapped by a trafficker, society often criminalizes the victim as either an illegal immigrant or a prostitute.

It's easy to ignore this seedy underworld at home and around the world, but if we continue to do so, it will never change. It takes average people learning about human trafficking and standing against it to make a difference, just as it did when slavery was finally outlawed in our country, and when the civil rights era ushered in a new level of citizenship for marginalized people.

So, I encourage you to learn as much as you can about the issue. Check out CNN and the NY Times for articles, visit www.change.org, or find another way to learn more. You can donate to the Sovietsk General Fund toward life skills training that helps our graduates recognize and resist the lure of people who would exploit them. Or, you can donate to Children's HopeChest to support Russia-wide anti-trafficking programs. With so much of Haiti lying in ruins, survivors there are at risk for this exploitation. We pray that as understanding of this issue spreads, the children and people of Russia, Haiti, the US, and the world over will no longer be exploited, but will be safe and treasured.

So this is Christmas . . .

2010-01-06T17:56:00.008-05:00

A Very Merry Christmas! Orthodox Christmas is upon us. While most of us are putting away ornaments and lights, our Russian friends are getting ready for church, feasting, and family. You can read more about Russian Christmas here.
Another year over, a new one just begun. Last year was hard for a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. We lost a lot of financial support for Sovietsk in 2009, but we gained priceless enthusiasm and commitment from a new group of supporters. Yay! I have been thinking a lot about 2010 and how to make our service less about cash and more about connections. Some ideas:

-Increase frequency of communication between Russian and American friends. Fund Nadezhda/Children's HopeChest has committed to coaxing more letters out of the children--some of you experienced the joy of receiving letters for the first time! I hope each of us can recommit to sending letters more regularly. If you're interested in writing to one of our children, drop me a note.

-Increase quality of communication in those letters. Ben and I want to help our sponsors be more purposeful in the letters, using approaches known to work with children who have experienced great loss or trauma. For example, simply prompting the child to remember a funny memory can trigger the brain to release more happy hormones, resulting in a calmer mood or even a smile or a laugh. The more this happens, the healthier. So, I wrote Katya with a funny story about myself and asked her to share one with me. We are planning to share more letter-writing tips with each of you.

-Meet some additional material needs. For example, the orphanage needs a medical sterilizer. We know they could benefit from Vitamin D. The list goes on. I know there are gifts in kind out there somewhere. If you can help us out, let us know!

-Mobilize our supporters. A core group of us got together last fall to brainstorm ways to increase support and funds for Sovietsk. We are planning to get together soon, and it seems like an event may be in the works. More to come on that--we'd love to have each of you involved!

-Find a clever way to supplement traveler expenses (so we can have more travelers!).

-Find a way to continue to pay for the crucial extracurricular activities.

-Extend our support for our youth who have graduated.

-Visit again!

So how are we going to do all of this? Maximize partnership. Rely on supporters' creativity and connections. Keep an open mind. Work our tails off! Ask for feedback and suggestions. And pray a LOT.

So please, stay tuned. Tomorrow, when in celebration of Christmas in Russia we pack away our tree and our memories of 2009, our hearts will be with our children and our minds will be in full gear. We are hoping and trusting 2010 to be the best year of sponsorship yet!

Chuk-Chuk edited

2009-12-30T20:59:00.005-05:00

We tried it! Our lessons learned in italics.
My favorite Russian dessert is Chuk-Chuk! I think that's because the honey in Kirov is soooooo good. (We never leave without a jar--this time, we took 3!)
I think I am going to try to make some for New Years. I don't think I can match what they make in Dolbiylova, but I'll let you know how it goes. Here is the recipe I am working with:

Chuk-Chuk dough:
4 eggs
3T powdered sugar (could add a bit more, but not much)
2 t butter (melted)
1/3 t salt
1/4 c milk (could easily double this!)
17 oz flour by weight (about right, but could easily skimp)

Syrup:
1 1/2 c honey
4 t sugar

1. Blend egg, butter, sugar, salt, milk, and flour and knead until dough is smooth. Add more milk if dough seems dry--don't want it to be too tough!
2. Let dough rest 30-40 minutes.
3. Heat honey and sugar in a double boiler and stir until sugar dissolves. Cook until it turns an amber color, but don't burn it!
4.Break into pieces and roll into small balls--the smaller the better. They don't have to be even!
*Some people recommend cutting small noodles or running it through a pasta maker. Your choice!
5. Heat canola oil in frying pan over medium heat, until very hot. Fry dough balls until golden brown, up to 5 minutes, and drain on a paper towel. We used a slotted spoon to place the dough into the oil without getting burned. Don't be afraid to get them really brown and a little bit crispy!
6. Mix fried dough and syrup in a big bowl.
7. Serve! Either mold and serve in some kind of shape, or serve in piles. Can garnish with nuts or powdered sugar. Good warm or cool, I found it best on the second day. A little goes a long way!

This is also called Tatar, because it is from the Tatar people. I think it would be good with chocolate, or cinnamon, or maybe some berries as garnish . . . I will let you know how this recipe turns out! Happy New Year!

Our version wasn't as delicious as in Russia, but pretty good! Thanks, Nancy, Nolan, and Georgia for being guinea pigs!

Home for the Holidays

2009-12-21T20:15:00.008-05:00

It feels good to be back! I have been in a different world for the last few months, swimming in all kinds of wonderful things. I've been working on a trafficking prevention program for Doma International, which is pretty exciting, and working on growing my skills and expertise as a youth & child social worker. It's been wonderful, but I am thankful it is winding down and I am able to spend some more time at HOME, where I am able to just be me.

This weekend, I spent time with my big, wonderful family and made some great memories. Our choir shared a special moment Sunday singing Богородице Дево (turn up your sound to hear it!) and thanking our Precentor, who is moving on to new opportunities. And we received a surprise package from Sovietsk! We received letters, letters, letters and a copy of the full-length documentary shown on Kirov News. Tonight, I will be sorting Christmas and New Years cards sent from Sovietsk Supporters to the children at the orphanage. I have spent the last few days with people and activities which are central to me being ME, not a professional or a student, but just plain Sarah.

I've been thinking a lot lately about a special evening we spent in Sovietsk, largely thanks to you, Sovietsk Supporters. While Ben, his dad, and Mischa were boxing with the older boys, we ladies stayed back to paint faces and make bracelets. Jen and Katherine were face painting pros, and Barb was our jewelry queen. While they did their thing, I had the privelege of sharing a special moment with each of the children who were there. We called the children to a private room one at a time, and Sveta helped me present them with their special gift packets. Each child received plenty of gum, chapstick, lip gloss for the girls, hackey sacks for the guys, stationary, a special pen, and a mirror, all bundled up just for them. I wish I could share with you the look of delight each face had when they received their gifts, and the pride they had when they heard the gift was special, just for them. It wasn't so much the gifts, although they were welcome and much appreciated, but it was the thought that someone cared enough about just them to send a gift. They weren't one of 30 when I gave them your gifts. They were just themselves. It was a special night, and I saw more life in those young eyes than I had ever seen before!

Last week, we put together birthday Smile Packets for each of the children at Sovietsk. We are sending them early so each child will receive one on his or her birthday. We are sending a special picture, a memory of them which makes us smile, and wishes for the happiest birthday yet, specially made for each child. We hope this small gesture will have a big impact, and the kiddos will know they are remembered and loved on their birthdays, just for who they are.

These are tiny ways we can remind these young people of how special and important they are, just themselves. Some of them will have special moments over the holidays which help them grow in who they are, as I am so thankful to have had already this season. Some of them will go home fo the holidays. Some of them will not, and that will hurt.

If any of you would like to send a special holiday card or email to one of our children, just reminding them that they are important, remembered, and not alone, please email me. We sent many letters, but we have a few children who could use some extra love.

Thank you for all you do for these children! I wish each of you a Christmas week full of special memories and love, just because of who you are.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-08T21:04:00.007-05:00

I love Thanksgiving. It's a great opportunity spend time with family and eat delicious food. Christmas is great for many of the same reasons, plus we get to sing some really good songs at church on Christmas Eve. And then we wake up the next morning and spend a relaxing day with family. The holidays are a always a great opportunity to spend time with the people you love. Unfortunately for our friends at Sovietsk, they don't always have this opportunity. We're asking everyone to chip in and write some holiday cards to the kids and let them know that we're thinking about them during the holidays.

The biggest holiday of the season in Russia is New Year's. (They place the same level of importance on New Year's that we place on Christmas). The Russian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas on January 7.

If you're interested in sending a card, please contact us and we'll let you know how. Happy holidays to you and yours.

From the October Newsletter

2009-11-16T14:05:00.011-05:00

The following is from the October edition of the monthly newsletter we receive from our friends in Sovietsk. The note below was written by one of the young ladies who was relatively new to the orphanage. Over the course of our time there she developed a close bond with two of our travelers in particular.

Dear American friends,

Today it’s me who will send you all our love and I will tell you what’s new in our orphanage. So it’s already October and we all study hard. I had some very bad marks but I’ve managed to improve them. By the way, thanks to your visit my English has become better, even my teachers admit this fact.

We had much fun in September. We had a Disco. Now I also have many friends here in Grehovo and in Sovietsk. I feel at home. Though of course there were some hard things and feelings and so on…but now everything is great!!! Soon I will have my 15th birthday. I nearly can’t wait!!!!

I miss Sarah and Ben, Steve and Barb, and especially Katherine and Jennifer. We all miss you here and want you to return next year!!!

Kisses, hugs and much love from us all and me especially,
Sasha

Stay tuned for more excerpts from the October newsletter...

Bummed.

2009-11-10T18:38:00.010-05:00

Well, we just learned that four of our kids lost their sponsors. Big bummer. We certainly understand when things get tight, especially in these times. But it's hard to think about our sweet kids losing out on these great relationships and resources.

Can you help us out? This is what we're asking:

1) Please send me an email or comment here about what could improve the sponsor program for you. I know it can get tough when you haven't met the kids and haven't heard from them, and we'd like to find some ways to make up for that.

(When I get over the homework hump this semester, I'll be blogging a lot more and sending individual info to sponsors, which I think you will enjoy.)

2) Please help us spread the word about these kids. If you know of anyone who would like to be a pen pal or a sponsor, send them our way! Or, maybe ask for it as a gift . . . I know I couldn't get a better gift this Christmas than to see all these kiddos sponsored. The pics you see are some of our kids waiting for sponsors.

3) Please keep our kids in your thoughts and prayers as the holidays approach. Send an extra note, an extra contribution, something that communicates your love and care for these sweet kids as they face the holidays with us as their family.

THANK YOU for all you do!

Vadim Petrovich

2009-10-29T20:29:00.007-04:00

Here's a guest blog from my parents, Barb and Steve Clark. about their experience visiting Russia as a member of our team.

We enjoyed a trip to the Sovietsk Orphanage that was filled with new experiences and adventure. We met many wonderful people, both staff and children at the orphanage as well as really great folks in the local community. The interpreters were exceptional, speaking several languages in some cases. We would like to single out one individual to write about in this blog because he did something so nice for us that we will never forget. Vadim Petrovich Antsygin is the Technology Instructor for the Sovietsk Orphanage. He really, really cares about the children. He devotes a great deal of energy helping the kids learn some basic skills with tools and achieving an understanding of how to do some things that will prove useful throughout their lives. He is a craftsman, especially with wood. He teaches crafts, basic carpentry and even electrical wiring. Steve really enjoyed touring the shop and engaging in lively conversation about the things that Vadim has a passion for. The shop was so versatile with many opportunities and with tools and machines that Vadim made from whatever was available. He is very resourceful. Steve was very glad that he had spent time with Barb’s dad, Kilby Davis, who was an excellent craftsman with wood in his own right. Steve’s background is engineering, welding and metal working, but he had just enough understanding to really enjoy the time in the shop. Later in the week, Vadim appeared in Galina’s, the director’s, office with a special gift for us. He had prepared a presentation speech which he delivered with heartfelt emotion that really touched us. He gave us a beautiful piece of his own personal work – a handmade frame and handmade picture of winter snowbirds made from shaped pieces of colored bark. It is gorgeous and hangs in a very prominent place in our home. The caption has blessed and inspired us more than we can say: “For the people who give part of their good hearts to children”. We pray to live up to that statement. Thank you, our friend, Vadim!

It's a Small World, After All

2009-10-23T17:24:00.002-04:00

So, you'll never believe what we saw in a small children's store in Sovietsk:

That's right! 6,000 miles away from Indianapolis, our home, right after we missed our favorite NFL team on opening day, Ben's lovely mother makes this discovery.

Sovietsk has a population of 20,000.

Lucas Oil Stadium (for our Russian readers, that's where the Colts play American Football) seats up to 70,000.

We talk a lot about how different life is between here and Sovietsk, but this is just more proof that we're really more alike than different.

I knew we found a good home away from home! GO COLTS!

They Grow Up Fast

2009-10-16T14:33:00.018-04:00

A handful of kids at the orphanage have recently entered their final year there before graduation. One of them happens also to be my pen pal, Sergey, who turns 16 today. While Sarah and I will be eating blini to celebrate his birthday, we will also be thinking about what faces him as he graduates this coming spring.

We've touched on this subject before, but I would like to emphasize that graduating from an orphanage does not carry with it the same sort of excited anticipation of something bigger and better ahead like it did for most of us. For most of these kids, leaving the orphanage can be as frightening as when they first arrived. Through no fault of their own, they face an uncertain future of limited opportunities and marginalization. Sergey faces some difficulty stemming from his past and present situations. He wants to be a truck driver, but his circumstances may limit him. He's been at the orphanage for 8 years. Sergey has told us he grateful for everything he has, and you can imagine that he would love to stay in his home awhile longer.

We will be his loudest advocates to make sure he is given a fair chance and that his options are not limited. Our goal is to get him some help dealing with his feelings, like most of us need. But we're also hoping to help the graduating class to gain some crucial life skills. We're looking into a program, somewhat like a summer camp, that would give these kids some necessary skills for living in the real world. We're doing everything that we can to make sure that these kids are not marginalized and rejected, but empowered and loved.

Community!

2009-10-12T20:21:00.011-04:00

This trip was different than some of our other trips. While we had too many wonderful moments to count with the children of Sovietsk, they were in school during the day. This gave us opportunity to spend time with community leaders and begin forming bonds for the benefit of the children, much like we did last year in Dolbiylova.

We observed speech pathology lessons and soccer and boxing demonstrations, seeing sponsored programs in action. We visited a tech school where two of our grads attend, studying welding. We visited 3 schools in the community, sharing tea with teachers and administrators, and even watching our teachers teach. We visited the main arts school in Sovietsk and enjoyed a special concert by the students, complete with a bayan duet, and a special presentation from a touring group. (Our girls thought the boys in the group were pretty cute!) We returned to a few stores in town and the history museum. We met the director of an orphanage for children who are hearing impaired, the Father of the largest church in Kirov, and many, many educators who contribute greatly to our children's success. Galina had us very busy, and there was definitely a purpose in her plan.

This was an excellent opportunity for us to see the children beyond the orphanage, visiting them in lessons and having them share their friends and activities with us. Little Olga was just beaming with pride as we made the rounds at her arts school. At tech school, Andrey had the perfect adolescent mix of embarassment and pride as Galina and the rest of us fussed over him in front of his friends and teachers. It was so hopeful and heartwarming to see the children embraced as a part of a community beyond the orphanage walls.

Even more amazing was the community response Galina has reported over the last year. Examples: We were prepared to buy graduation gifts for everyone this year, but we received word that wasn't necessary. Galina told us why--last year, word spread that 'the Americans' purchased gifts for all the grads. So, this year, a local group of business people decided to do the same. Last year, we purchased a guitar for the orphanage, both for Ben to use when we visit and for the children to use for lessons. When we returned, there were four guitars. And when we visited the music school, International Charitable Programme "Music of Life" made a special presentation of an additional guitar for the orphanage. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the playground. Last year, I took photos of an open field and a few rusty swings the kids used to play, and in my wildest dreams, I would have found a way to have a playground built for the children. But, in the last year, a group of local tax collectors rallied together and built the playground, together with the children. I met Tatyana from this group, and we talked at great lengths about our hopes for the children and how we could continue to work together.
I could write volumes on each of these subjects, and in future posts, I probably will. But for now, I wanted to share just the surface of the exciting developments in the Sovietsk community. Research on youth development tells us that the more connected a child is to his or her community as he or she enters adulthood, the greater probability he or she has for success. Ben and I are only there once a year, though our hearts are there constantly. But from halfway around the world, there is only so much we can do. I am so thankful for the openness of the people of Sovietsk, and my deepest hope is that they will embrace every one of our children as their own.

The Importance of Playing Soccer

2009-10-03T16:25:00.024-04:00

After our third visit to Sovietsk Orphanage, it was nice to see yet again how the kids are progressing. One boy in particular is a great example of the hope for success that we have for these kids. Through a soccer program at the orphanage, he was able to prove that he has no small measure of athletic talent. Before he started playing soccer, he was considered one of the "naughty boys." While he still has some trouble now and then, he seems to have turned it around and improved his behavior as well as his performance in school. He now has a goal of attending university so that he can become a Phys. Ed. teacher when he grows up. This might not sound like staggering news to the average American, but for an orphanage kid in Russia, this is nothing short of amazing. About 4% of orphanage graduates attend university. It's not that these kids lack the talent to be able to attend university, it's simply that they lack the opportunity and the means.

We're so glad that, through past sponsorship and the funding of this soccer program by Kids First Foundation, this young man now has a goal to achieve, the motivation to get there, and the moral support if he falters. This is the kind of support that we're trying to offer to all of the kids at Sovietsk. Some of them want to be truck drivers, singers, artists, beauticians, welders, etc. Whatever they want to be, we want to give them a chance.

We are trying to fund soccer for the remainder of this year. Along the right side of the blog, where it says "Sports and Arts Change Lives" you'll see an opportunity to contribute towards this and other critical programs for our kiddos.

Must-see TV, Russian Style

2009-09-29T13:00:00.005-04:00

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

2009-09-27T20:11:00.027-04:00

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!

2009-09-20T16:08:00.008-04:00

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...

2009-09-06T17:08:00.006-04:00

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.

2009-09-04T14:21:00.003-04:00

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

Funding 2009-2010

2009-08-27T20:04:00.009-04:00

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!

2009-08-23T17:55:00.010-04:00

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

2009-08-18T21:27:00.002-04:00

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

2009-08-14T10:22:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-08-10T20:09:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-07T19:16:00.021-04:00

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.

What we'll be doing in Russia

2009-07-29T22:23:00.012-04:00

The trip is getting very close. The excitement at our house is nearly palpable. We've recently heard from the orphanage director about her plans for our time there. Here's a rundown:

-Help the kids with garden work
The kids raise their own vegetables and I think they're very proud of it. And it's so delicious and fresh. I'm sure I could learn a thing or two about how to raise a garden.

-Mushroom hunting
On our last trip, we had an unforgettable day at one of the nearby parks going after some mushrooms. But you have to be very, very quiet so you can sneak up on them. After gathering mushrooms we had a fantastic picnic. We're very excited to do this again. It's a great way to have fun and to connect with the kids.

-Visit Dolbiylova, the village
This is the place where we spent the day having a picnic (another one, yes), climbing rocks, hiking, and then having a second huge meal. They had to roll me back to the orphanage. But it was a lot of fun and our hosts were very gracious.

-Banya
Quite an experience. We've written a bit about this before. Suffice it to say it's certainly an interesting and culturally enriching way to bathe.

-Visit the schools and observe classes
We're very excited to see how they do school over there. Being a big supporter of education, I'm always interested in seeing this sort of thing. Visiting classes will also give us a chance to talk with the kids a little more about school and their education/career goals.

The director told us a little bit about what to expect from the kids and how to interact with them during less formal activity time.

-Older boys will like guitar, soccer, crafts in wood shop
-Older girls will like makeup, nails, etc
-Younger kids will like anything!

Needless to say, activities like this are a must. When you have a language barrier on top of emotional barriers, having something to do with the kids is a great way to connect and build a relationship.

doma international

2009-07-21T20:09:00.008-04:00

Hey, have a look at this! It's from my brother and sister-in-law's non-profit called doma international:

"At doma, we are looking for 50 people to commit to just $50 per month for just 6 months. Help us lay the foundation for exciting things happening in HIV/AIDS baby houses in Ukraine, vulnerable kids and pregnant women in Uganda, and trafficked teens in Ohio. Contact me at daniel@domaconnection.org.

At doma we believe that care and compassion is more contagious than disease and despair. Be contagious."

For more, check out my brother's blog:

danieljclark.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/make-a-small-commitment-to-a-big-change.html

Weak = Strong

2009-07-12T10:45:00.006-04:00

It's easy to feel tiny and inadequate when dealing with the fundamental and heart-wrenching effects of children growing up without a family. Through sending letters and visiting once a year with material, financial, and emotional support, there is really only so much we can do. The first time we visited Russia, we visited 7 orphanages, and I cried the entire trip for one fundamental reason: no matter what we do, these children don't have a mother or a father.

The reading and sermon at Bethlehem last week was over the text we chose when asked to lead a team session on our second trip to Russia. In 2 Corinthians, Paul is thankful for for his weaknesses--when he is weak, he is strong. I get that. When we get too caught up in ourselves, our plans, what we have to offer, we lose sight of our true goal: sharing peace and wholeness with 29 precious children. Our goal is not flashy or impressive. It doesn't command media attention or draw thousands of people to the mission. In the words of Pastor Felde, it is pretty unremarkable, really. We are simply hoping to be a part of restoring basic human dignity to a few sweet little souls.

Now that we have some people joining us (yay!), it's easy to feel a bit more pressure to impress. We want to show them the beautiful Sovietsk we've experienced. We want them to look into the eyes of the children and see what we see. We hope we can share the life-giving experience of spending time with our Russian family. We want them to fall in love, just like we have.

But in acknowledging how small we really are, in understanding our weakness, we don't have to 'strain for effect,' either in creating an experience for the travelers or in reaching out to our children in the orphanage. We can simply, humbly keep our eyes and hearts open and find ways to meet some needs.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Whenever I am weak, I am strong.

Day Three

2009-07-05T18:15:00.009-04:00

On the third day of our trip, we typically get up kinda early and have a good, hardy Russian breakfast before departing the hotel for Sovietsk. The drive from Kirov to Sovietsk takes somewhere around ninety minutes. It goes by quickly because of the anticipation of seeing the kids and orphanage staff again and besides, the scenery is pretty nice.

When we first arrived at the orphanage on our last trip, the kids were very shy (some of them never stopped being shy). But it didn't take Katya long to warm up to Sarah again. She remembered Sarah from our previous visit a year and a half before. I had never met Sergey in person, but had exchanged a few letters with him. I wouldn't consider either of us to be conversationalists, but I was happy to meet him and I think the feeling was mutual. We also met some of the caregivers, orphanage staff, and of course, Galina, the orphanage director. She led us on a tour of the building and its grounds (a beatific setting, I must say) and then showed us to our rooms.

By then it was midday and time for lunch. We shared with our hosts a meal of borscht, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and fish. As is customary, following the meal I delivered a (somewhat awkward) impromptu speech telling them how excited we were to be there and how very delicious the food was. Galina also delivered a speech thanking us for coming. We were then directed to follow Galina to her office for a meeting to plan to the upcoming week. There wasn't much planning, really. She mostly just told us what we'd be doing for the next four days, which was fine with us.

Then we divided up by gender. I went with Vadim Petrovich, the wood shop teacher, and Sarah went with the sweet-voiced needlecraft teacher, Yelena. Part of the plan for the week was for the two of us to learn some skills from the kids. I would learn how to make things out of wood and Sarah was supposed to learn how to make things from thread and needles. Vadim Petrovich, who's an older gentleman, treated me and Misha (our translator) to a thirty minute PowerPoint presentation about all of the skills he teaches the kids in his shop. The presentation was unexpected, but actually quite informative.

After the presentation, we were able to spend some down time with the kids. There weren't many around at the time (most were away at summer camp) so we just sat down in the common area where the boys were hanging out and tried to strike up (and sustain) a conversation. Not a terribly easy task, but I think it was a good start toward getting to know each other.

One More Update

2009-06-29T20:42:00.009-04:00

Director’s Notes… (slow to cross the ocean!)

Dear Friends,

I hope the New Year will continue to bring us happiness and joy. Since January we have much to do. We are preparing for coming holidays: the Shrovetide and the Women’s day. Let me tell you about the 23d of February, The Day of Country Defenders. We had a group of friends from Kirov. Seven students of the police college prepared a Zarnitza (orienteering), after it we had a tea party with presents and singing and playing the guitar. The children liked the holiday very much. I hope that the further holidays will be only better. I also want to let you know that all of us appreciate your financial support of the orphanage. This is a lot of help. We managed to buy skiis and bikes with the funds that you had provided to us. Thank you from all of us that take care of these children. God Bless you all, Anisiya Pavlovna Vachreneva

Prayer Requests… Please pray for all of the children at the orphanage and for the orphanage personnel.

It's a few little things that make a big difference. A guitar and extra funds means a special tea party with special guests--and special memories for our precious children. Bikes and skis mean exercise, fun, and transportation to town and to work for the older children.

We're getting ready to travel and planning how we can best continue to meet needs. We are hoping to be able to fund crucial programs and provide necessities as we have for the past 2 years. We are hoping to raise enough funds for English lessons in 2009-2010 (you can contribute on the right side of this blog!). Of course, we'll have a letter drive, as well as drives for little things that make a big difference (nail polish, supplies for therapeutic games, sports equipment, and the like).

All of this is thanks to donors like you! Believe us, we have no windfall of cash with which to support these children at the orphanage. Somehow, through partner organizations and individual generosity, it always comes together. We'd love for you to join us in thinking and praying, finding creative ways to care for our children and meet needs. No ideas or contributions are too small. They are so thankful!

Travelling: Day Two

2009-06-19T12:15:00.030-04:00

We commonly begin our second day of a trip by waking up in Kirov City after spending the night on the train from Moscow. We're met at the train station by the local HopeChest staff, led by one of the nicest ladies in Russia, Olga. This first full day is usually relatively easy so as to acclimate to the time change and the surroundings. We check into a nice hotel, Gastinitsa Tsentralnya (that just means Central Hotel) and take a much needed shower before heading out for some food, acculturation, and buying supplies for the coming visit to Sovietsk. We spend some time walking around Kirov City. In the past, we've visited a beautiful Orthodox church within walking distance of the hotel. There is a department store where we buy the supplies we need for the orphanage (a quite interesting experience in itself). We can exchange our dollars for rubles there, too. Our team will get together and review the plans for the week and make any additional preparations. In the evening, we have a nice meal either at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant--last year we heard some pretty solid jazz at a local club, a pleasant surprise! The important part is getting some sleep before the real adventure begins. Next, we'll tell you about what it's like when we first get to the orphanage. Stay tuned.

Travelling in Russia

2009-06-12T08:57:00.015-04:00

As we think about our next trip, we thought it would be good to go into a bit more depth about what it's like to travel through Russia. Here's a day-by-day breakdown of a typical trip with Children's HopeChest.

Day One-ish: In the morning, we leave our house and head to the Indianapolis International Airport. We fly from Indy to either JFK or Atlanta for a short layover before boarding the nine hour international flight into Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. On the plane I try to sleep (and fail) and Sarah snoozes off and on. After arriving at the airport, we go through customs and get our luggage. (Whatever you do don't make eye contact or try to be friendly with the customs agents.) We then meet up with one of HopeChest's Russian staff members and emerge from the airport and into daylight. The eight hour time difference means that it's already the next morning in Moscow. That's when the jet lag sets in and you realize just how upside down you feel. But it's okay, we know we'll adjust.

From the airport we head to the train station to drop our luggage in a locker and have Sbarro's for lunch (yeah, weird, I know but it's right by the train station and the food is decent). From there we head out for a little sightseeing. On our last trip we visited a picturesque monastery in the heart of Moscow. Sightseeing is a good way to ease into the new timezone and learn a bit about the country you'll call home for the next week and a half.

From there we head back to the train station and board the overnighter to Kirov. We usually book second class cabins. It's less expensive than first class but we still get some privacy, a bed, and a place for our luggage, which you don't get in third class. There's a dining car that sells drinks and food, but we usually eat bread, cheese and fruit that we picked up at a grocery before boarding. Each train car has its own attendant who brings you tea or coffee in the morning. The train rolls into the Kirov station early the next morning, but because of the jet lag we're usually wide awake an hour or so before we arrive.

I admit that the train takes some getting used to, but once you acclimate to the space and the feel of rail travel it can be really enjoyable. I usually sleep pretty well (it probably helps that I haven't slept for awhile) and you get to see some really beautiful and interesting countryside along the way.

Coming soon... what we do on the first day in Kirov City.

Caregiver's Corner

2009-06-11T18:41:00.004-04:00

Another update!

Again, let me thank you for all your care for our children. Letters make their lives brighter. It’s a pity not all of the children get letters from their U.S. friends. They really wait for their letters. Not very long ago in our local newspaper there was an article about our summer guests Sarah and Ben. Children read and re-read this article. They miss Sarah and Ben very much! They send their love to them and ask to come to them this summer again. Thank you for your support,

From Irina Nikolaevna

First, we can't believe we made the newspaper! We had a few jokes from our trip to Dolbiylova about being ready for the media, but apparently we should have been. I am so curious to see the article when we return. We are so excited to visit again (have we mentioned that?) and bring more friends to love on these kids.

About the letters . . . it is so hard to have a few kids who are not getting letters and a few who are. We have 2 children left who don't have a pen pal at all, and we just have no way of knowing who is writing to their children regularly and who isn't. Every time we hear from the caregivers, they say they wish everyone would receive letters. We do, too! If you have a pen pal or are a child sponsor, please try to write each month--why not write today? If you know someone who is writing, ask them when they last wrote. Let's help each other! It's hard to keep up, our lives are so full. Not so for our children, who wait anxiously for the letters and ask for them each time the discipler visits.

We'll have another letter drive very soon. Last time we went, we brought so many beautiful gifts, but the letters were the biggest hit. Our fellow travelers will vouch for us after they see it themselves.

If you'd like to be a pen pal or a child sponsor, drop me a note and we'll get you set up.

Speaking the Language of Love with an Accent

2009-06-07T22:24:00.007-04:00

Just the last year of MSW studies has increased the depth and range of my understanding of children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, as our children at Sovietsk have. Dr. Bruce Perry's The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog offers explanations based in psychiatry--brain science--and explores the long-term effects of early childhood experiences on development. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about these children.

In the chapter called "Skin Hunger," we read of Laura, a little girl who was literally wasting away. She had plenty of food--she was on a high-calorie feeding tube diet--but her body could not metabolize the food because of emotional neglect. It is like a human runt syndrome. Without nurture and stimulation, the body's growth hormone shuts off. She was 26 pounds at age 4.

What I find extremely fascinating is that Laura's mother, Virginia, was truly doing everything she knew to nurture Laura. She knew to feed her, bathe her, change her. But she didn't know to hold her, sing to her, smile at her. She didn't know how to experience love herself, so she didn't know how to share it with her daughter.

Virginia had no attachment at infancy--she was moved from home to home until the age of 5, well after her brain had been 'programmed' with how human relationships work. Virginia never experienced the repeated, patterned stimuli children need to learn emotional give and take or empathy. She didn't even learn to associate human contact with joy. However, from ages 5-18, she lived with a kind, caring family who taught her strong values and moral direction. Her cognitive brain developed with an understanding of right from wrong, but her emotional foundation was weak and incomplete.

The hope in this is that with proper intervention, Virginia learned to give Laura what she needs. Laura grew into a healthy young woman. But as Dr. Perry says, the scars for both of them remain. Dr. Perry tells us that if a child doesn't learn a new language before puberty, the child will speak the new language with an accent--the brain cannot accommodate the information as completely as it could have at an earlier developmental stage. He says the same for Laura and Virginia--while they have learned how to smile and relate in social situations, their natural language is more withdrawn, reserved, even sad.

This guides our work at Sovietsk. Some of these children experienced attachments as infants, some never have. Some have experienced pain and fear that I can never understand. Most of them missed some important emotional developmental milestones, and they've had to learn to function with pieces of themselves missing. Those who grow up to have relationships and families of their own may find themselves lost in a foreign language--they truly, honestly do not know what so many of us feel as natural and fundamental. They speak the language of love with an accent, if they can learn the language at all.

When we go, we hope to expand their love vocabularies. We look them in the eye. We touch them gently and appropriately--no violation or threat involved. We respect them unconditionally, simply for being who they are. We are patient when they struggle with conversation, we remember that they are learning to navigate a new world. We listen when they finally can share. We just love them. We cannot fill the void in their hearts and minds, but we pray to the one who can. And we hope, hope, hope they gain enough understanding to find a way to love again, even just enough, so their children can experience what they have missed.

Photo Credit: David Madison

Discipler's Update

2009-06-04T19:09:00.004-04:00

Here is a letter from Ann, the new discipler at Sovietsk:

Dear Friends,

I am glad that I continue working with Sovietsk as it is very rewarding. The children are healthy; two of them went to the sanatorium to have some rest in January. During their winter holidays, they went to Kirov several times for charity New Year and Christmas show in a café. They also had an exhibition of their handmade works. The headmaster was really proud of the results. Some orphanage graduates came to visit their teachers and friends.

On February 23rd there was a marvelous party for all children. There was a group of guests from Kirov who organized the event. Children liked everything, and I’m sure they will be eager to share their emotions. Now the orphanage is preparing for the Shrovetide and the Women’s Day holiday. Shrovetide will take place on the 1st of March, and it will surely be very bright and memorable.

Thanks for your writing and continuous support. Your support means a lot to all of us.

From Ann Butorova

We are looking forward to meeting Ann on our next trip. She has a lot of enthusiasm and is very committed to the children, which is just what they need!

Sponsor funds pay for Ann's visits to Sovietsk, as well as for special events and celebrations like you read about above. They also pay for arts and crafts lessons, which allows them opportunities to meet other kids and have the exhibition. Trips to the city and extra visitors are wonderful for all children, and they are special and rare for children in the orphanages.

February 23 is Defender of the Fatherland (or Motherland) Day, and Shrovetide is similar to Mardi Gras (without the raucous party atmosphere) in that you eat pancakes and Lent begins, and of course, Women's Day is March 8.

Our kids go to the sanatorium fairly often, as some of them have some health challenges. In Russia, though, sanatorium is quite different than we think of. It's a place for the children to go when they are ill, so they can rest, relax, receive treatment, and keep other children from getting ill. Above, you see some of the special treatments the children at Sovietsk receive, as many of them have latent tuberculosis--though they are not sick while at the orphanage.

More letters to come!

Re-emerging

2009-05-31T17:42:00.008-04:00

Looks like May 2009 was a sparse month for blogging--but it was full of personal and professional activity. With that winding down, we'll be diving full-on into preparations for our 2009 visit to Sovietsk. Our team is settling in to be an excellent group of individuals whose skills and strengths will complement each other well. And the kids will be so excited to have more visitors!

We just got another update from the orphanage--as always, heartwarming and hopeful. I am ready to get back to see them!

Here is the first part, a sweet note from some of the littlest children:

Dear American Friends,

We want to congratulate you on the past St.Valentine’s day. We celebrate it, though it is not our holiday. We exchanged handmade valentine cards. Now we want to congratulate you on this holiday with a small poem and we want to wish you lots of love.

Roses are red, Violets are blue, You are so kind, We love you.

Vova L., Lesha K., Larisa K.

We just got that last week, so there's an example of how long it takes our letters to travel.

Here is the sweetest part, though: none of these children have sponsors! Both Vova and Larisa have pen-pals, though, and Lesha is brand-new to the orphanage (I believe--this is the first I have seen her name.) Sponsorship is so important, and we are thrilled to share that 18 of 29 children now have sponsors. But letters are the MOST important!

Have we said that enough here?

Of the 29 children, 4 of them do not have pen pals. 3 of those children will graduate soon and must face the world, and 1 is a sweet little boy who has overcome many challenges in his little life. Sponsorship is wonderful, and it requires a financial commitment of $34 a month. But letter writing can have an immense impact, and it is FREE! It only requires an email or a letter every month.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a pen-pal for a child in the orphanage, please drop us an email. For those of you who are already writing, the kids said it best:

You are so kind, we love you.

English lessons

2009-05-15T16:26:00.004-04:00

We're in the midst of trying to raise support for a year's worth of English lessons for the kids at Sovietsk. During our most recent visit, Katya told us that she wants to learn to speak English so that when she grows up she can be a translator. We realized that she probably came to this conclusion because she really looks up to her discipler, who also serves as our translator. This is not a far fetched goal. There is a young lady working for Nadezhda Fund (the Russian arm of Children's HopeChest) as a translator who is also an orphanage graduate. Because she took English lessons at the orphanage and proved proficient at the language she was able to continue studying at university, eventually earning a college degree. That is not something that many kids in her situation are able to do for myriad reasons, but we want to give them options and opportunities. English lessons can make the future wide open for the kids through employment, education, and confidence.

$43 pays for a week of English lessons for all 29 children at Sovietsk Orphanage! We already have two weeks paid for, but we need more. Please consider helping us meet our goal. If you look to the right hand column on this web page you will see a badge through which you can donate for a year of English lessons. It's really easy to do.

Please designate funds towards Sovietsk English Lessons. Thank you!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T15:11:00.005-04:00

In Russia, they don't celebrate Mother's Day today--it's all wrapped into Women's Day in March. But on Mother's Day, I think of our children at Sovietsk, and of their mothers, and of the 4 million children worldwide who are without their mothers, and of their mothers, and of the children of all ages who miss their mothers, and of the mothers around the world who are longing for their children.

I also think of my mother, of the example of grace, wisdom, and courage she has given to me, and I am humbled and grateful to be her daughter. I think of my grandmothers, my great-grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my sisters-in-law, my aunts, my cousins, the grandmothers and foster mothers I work with, the orphanage caregivers, my friends who are mothers--young mothers, experienced mothers, mothers-to-be, and I am thankful for all of the women who give of themselves so that children can grow into strong, loving, and giving adults.

And, I think of the Sovietsk Supporters--some who are mothers of growing children, some with children who are grown, some who are soon-to-be mothers, some who are mothers at heart, some who are individuals with love to give--who give of themselves to nurture hurting children, and who expect nothing in return.

To each and every one of you, thank you for giving your heart. And Happy Mother's Day!

Safety, Permanence, Well-Being

2009-05-03T12:25:00.005-04:00

Many of you know I am working on my MSW and specializing in child welfare, working to empower parents and families to ensure that children are protected and nurtured. In the US, the consensus in child welfare is that adults need to provide children with safety, permanence, and well-being in order for them to grow into healthy, strong individuals. Sometimes we do well, sometimes we don't. The same is true for our children in Russia.

The orphanage is a strong attempt at providing safety for a child, and Sovietsk does as well or better than any orphanage we've seen at keeping children safe--thanks to staff like Vovo, above with the guys, or Sveta, below with the girls . We are so thankful for that. But, when you have 18 year old boys living with young women, or older children who have experienced abuse or violence living with younger vulnerable children, and there are only so many adults to go around, there are special considerations. We've visited an orphanage of over 100 children where boys and girls shared rooms and where there was 1 night staff. It's hard to imagine that each of those children is safe.

The biggest challenge at Sovietsk may be establishing permanence. Permanence, for a child, is inextricably linked to psychological stability--it is hard for a child to flourish when he or she is always wondering what is next. In my practicum working with kinship families (relatives, often older grandparents, who are caring for children as their own), I came across this extremely relevant statement:

A child who is orphaned loses his parents once, and it is permanent and tragic. A child whose parents are in jail, in rehab, on the street or just missing, harbors a hope of returning to them but in the meantime loses them over and over again as they wander in and out of the child's life. Strange as it may seem, a sudden death may be easier for a child to handle than months or even years of not knowing. It is the difference between a clean break and prolonged uncertainty, and certainty is extremely important to children.*

Ben and I have witnessed firsthand the heartbreak of this repeated loss. Of the 29 children at Sovietsk, I believe only 3 have parents who are deceased--the rest have parents either unwilling, unable, or ill-equipped to care for them. On our last visit, we spent time with a young man who was expecting to spend the summer with his mother. She didn't come through, and he stayed at the orphanage while his friends were at camp. We sat with a sweet girl who receive a letter from her mother informing her that another baby was on the way. She responded as outwardly dismissive, saying she had negative feelings toward her mother for drinking too much and leaving her at the orphanage. It can be hard for those who have never experienced this to understand, but even with those negative feelings, there is a yearning for the acceptance and love that only a mother can give. She has to wonder--will my mother keep this child, but not me? Will I know my brother or sister? Will we ever be a family? Each time another hope is crushed, the child loses the parent all over again.

This is why the nature of what Sovietsk Supporters do is so important. Material gifts cannot bring love and acceptance, or well-being, to hurting children. We can never fill the void left by missing parents, but we can be a stable source of acceptance and love for children who have no understanding of what that means. We can do our part to ensure their well-being, even in the turbulence and impermanence of an orphanage. They did nothing to deserve a life without a family, and we who have so much love to give do everything we can to show them that love is possible.

*de Toldedo, S. & Brown, D. E. (1995). Grandparents as Parents. New York: The Guilford Press.

How a letter gets from here to Hotzeplotz

2009-04-27T19:14:00.018-04:00

We've had a few questions lately about how to write letters to the kids at Soviestk so we thought that we should post a bit about how the whole process works. By the way, thanks so much for your interest in writing to the kids. We can never emphasize enough how meaningful these letters are to the kids.

Once you've written a letter and sent it off to HopeChest's headquarters in Colorado, it will get translated into Russian. If you hand write a letter, the child will receive your original version along with a translated version. Then comes the task of actually getting the letter to the child in Russia. In order to save money, letters often travel to Russia with a HopeChest group from the U.S. Fortunately, HopeChest sends groups quite often. Once the letter arrives in Russia, then it will find its way to the region where your pen pal lives through another group of Americans traveling to that region. The letter finally arrives at the orphanage through one of the in-country HopeChest staff and is then delivered to your pen pal.

The next step is for the discipler to encourage the child to write back to you. They love receiving letters, but do not necessarily write back quite as readily. There are a variety of reasons that we've found for some of the kids not writing back. Sometimes they're too shy or have poor eyesight or don't know how to write. But don't let that discourage you. We've received a number of wonderful, heartwarming, and even funny letters back from the kids at Sovietsk and elsewhere. So, once you pen pal does write back to you, the process starts all over again but in reverse. The letter is sent to Moscow, translated into English, hitches a ride to America, then finds its way through the postal service to your front door.

Another option that expedites this whole process is to send letters to the kids via e-mail. You can either write the letter in the body of an e-mail or send it as an attached Word document. This option, of course, cuts out all of the travel time that a snail mail letter goes through. This is the option that I usually go with, simply because it's faster (not to mention my deplorable handwriting).

Thank you again for your continued interest in helping the kids at Sovietsk. For more information about the particular do's and don'ts of letter writing, please look along the right side of this web page or leave a comment on this post and we'll get back to you.

Now the green blade rises

2009-04-16T11:54:00.015-04:00

As I write this, I'm sitting at the table in my kitchen and looking outside to see what's shaping up to be a beautiful spring day. Spring is all about new life, new growth, new blades of green grass peeking up through the ground after the dormancy of a long winter. It reminds us of the kids.

This September will be our third trip to see our friends at Sovietsk. When we first visited it was for only a very brief time, just a couple of hours. We felt this was the right place for us to begin building relationships as sponsorship coordinators. But there was, as you will find at most every orphanage, a sense of heaviness and sadness there. The children didn't talk, and I don't remember a single smile. The director, Galina was very kind at our first meeting and she does a very good job with the children, but one got the sense that she would be glad for the help. Not because of us, of course, but because a burden shared is a burden divided.

On our second trip, over a year after sponsorship began, we could already feel a difference. We were glad to see Galina and she was glad to see us. And some of the kids remembered us, especially Sarah's friend and pen pal, Katya. She latched onto Sarah during the first visit. Then, she didn't smile at all and showed little emotion except when we left and she cried. The second time, she was shy at first, but soon latched onto Sarah again. She was much more gregarious this time and seemed to like having fun. She was described by Galina as "complicated," and understandably so. When you're rejected by those who are supposed to love you, things are bound to get complicated. But even though her life is tumultuous, she actually smiled and laughed genuinely during our time together. She's like a little blade of grass that's trying to grow after a long, dark winter. Our job is to make sure that she and the other kids there continue to grow and blossom.

At Easter, we sang of the green blade rising as Love lives again. We cannot wait to see what it's like at Sovietsk the third time around.

Blini for Easter

2009-04-11T14:15:00.006-04:00

Another recipe! I will be making these next weekend, to celebrate Orthodox Easter along with our Russian friends.

Sadly, I have misplaced my journal where I detailed the tips from my blini-making clinic in the orphanage kitchen. I remember the technique pretty well, including the all-important wrist-flick when pouring the batter. This recipe comes pretty close, and it seems to have gained a bit of a following around here.

4 eggs

1 tsp salt

3 T sugar

1 1/2 c white flour

4 c milk, lukewarm

Mix eggs, salt, sugar, flour, and 2/3 c of milk until it is smooth. Add the rest of the milk, a little at a time, until it is about as thick as cream. (You can add more milk if you need to.) You can let the batter stand awhile, if you want. Just put it in the fridge for later. Or, make the blini right away!

I usually get 2 skillets going at once, about 8 inches around. In Russia they have these lovely blini pans with really short sides, which makes it easy to flip--I might pick one of those up next time! Use a pastry brush to lightly cover the HOT pans with oil every few blini or so. Use a ladle to pour less than 1/4 c of batter into the pan. Work quickly, picking up the pan to swirl the batter so that it covers the bottom of the pan evenly. You might need to use a rubber/wooden spatula to loosen up the sides of each blin. When you see the sides begin to brown and the middle is set (2-3 minutes max, depending on your pan and how thick you've poured the batter), carefully pick up the blin and flip it over. It usually takes less than a minute on the second side. Then set it aside to cool, and fold and stack them for later.

We usually eat these with jam or with sweetened condensed milk (Ben's favorite), but you can put just about anything in there.

The texture is different from crepes--I tried using my crepe maker for this and it was a failure. Stick with the old-school method on these! Like borscht, there are a million recipes for blini out there. We hope you like this one.

Enjoy! Happy Easter!

Good Friday

2009-04-10T09:35:00.015-04:00

Psalm 88

O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.
I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah.

You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah.

Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair. Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

As the season of Lent soon draws to a close, this Psalm is a poetic reminder of the heart of an orphaned and abandoned child. We, meaning those who grew up knowing our parents and knowing their love, can emerge from Lent and all of its symbolism and resume our normal lives with deepend gratitude. But for the kids at Sovietsk and others like them throughout the world, life is like a permanent Lent with a thousand Good Fridays. They feel alone and abandoned; darkness is their closest friend. They act out because they don't know what else to do. They sniff glue to numb the pain. They run away or turn to exploitation and violence. Our kids struggle and fight for their lives, trying to emotionally survive, trying to find the light.

But despite all of this, we believe there is hope. Why? It's called Good Friday for a reason. Easter is coming.

Love One Another

2009-04-08T21:19:00.006-04:00

Mandatum novum do vobis: ut diligatis invicem: sicut dilexi vos, ut et vos diligatis invicem.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

The "maundy" of Maundy Thursday comes from this moment in the Gospel of John when Jesus gives a mandate, a mandatum, that the disciples love each other. I don't think it's a stretch to say that he meant by extension that we're supposed to love everyone on the planet. This should be behind everything we do. We don't really have a choice--we're supposed to love each other. It's as simple as that. After all, what is the meaning of Jesus and Holy Week and Easter? Love and life win out over hate and death. That's cause to hope, I think. And that's just the sort of thing that we're trying to share with our friends at Sovietsk. It's good to know where to look in the times when I'm running low on things like faith, hope, and love.

Ashes to Ashes

2009-04-05T14:38:00.007-04:00

Calm and distressed

Torn and most whole

Rose of memory

Rose of forgetfulness

Exhausted and

life-giving

Worried reposeful

--"Ash Wednesday," TS Eliot

Throughout Lent and now Holy Week, we are remembering our children at Sovietsk. The walk through the darkness, the story of one Man's isolation and abandonment, the triumph of new life resonates so deeply with the life of an orphaned child. At the same time, it resonates with all of us.

At the beginning of Lent, we were reminded that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. In the past, I've felt the heaviness of that statement throughout the season, mourning the pain and struggle of human life. My perspective has since changed--I find it comforting. No matter who we are, how seemingly tiny and unimportant or grand and renowned, we are all made of the same stuff. We are all capable of feeling--and causing--extreme joy and profound sorrow. We share these qualities with the children at Sovietsk, but Holy Week reminds us that we also share with those who deny them or betray them. I will never understand why different people are dealt different circumstances, but I am responsible for the hand I am given. Being human requires me to acknowledge my brokenness and yet celebrate my part in bringing joy and life to those around me.

It becomes dangerous when we think of ourselves as too small, as if one tiny person could never make a difference, or too big, as if we are the difference the world needs. The truth is elsewhere: yes, we are tiny, but when we accept ourselves for who we are, and pour ourselves out in humility, wonderful things can happen. If we can help our children understand that they are worth every bit as much as the rest of society, they can understand this human paradox of being both small and infinitely valuable. They can rest in who they are and celebrate the gifts they've been given. It takes all of us patiently reminding them what they are worth, as they have lived and heard lies for so long.

I feel this paradox about these children and all the orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or abused people in our world. It is heart-breaking to see what cruel circumstances can do to someone's soul, but hopeful to see the change that comes when patient, unrelenting Love arrives.

The Komsomol

2009-03-31T21:25:00.011-04:00

During our time at Sovietsk, we had the pleasure of touring the local history museum with some of the kids. I've spent a fair amount of time in museums, but I can safely say that this was the most memorable tour I have ever experienced. In four or five separate rooms and in about thirty minutes, we covered the highlights of the history and pre-history of the town. The guide was very efficient with her words and they did not let us linger or stray from the group. (Another lady followed us and turned the lights off in each room as we left--I have to admire their thrift). The information was comprehensive and the displays had lots of great artifacts and photos. In the natural history section, Sarah and the girls got to be photographed with this strange taxidermied creature that they claimed was a type of dog--I have my doubts.

But of all the great things that we saw, what sticks out most in my mind was near the end of our tour. We were walking through the section on the twentieth century, which of course was most notable for the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. One of the displays had the uniforms of the Leninist Communist Youth League, or the Komsomol, the Soviet's version of the boy scouts and girl scouts.One of our interpreters leaned over and told me when he was younger he signed up to join the Komsomol and was about to be inducted when the Soviet Union fell. I had read about the Komsomol and the end of socialism in Russia in my history books, but had never really thought about what it was like to actually experience it. To be so close and to ultimately fail in gaining membership into the Komsomol was almost certainly not the most traumatic part of the fall of the USSR for our interpreter. But his story reminded me that history happened to real people and even something as momentous as the end of the Soviet Union can be broken down into millions and millions of tiny little experiences like his.

May we introduce to you: Anna

2009-03-23T21:35:00.004-04:00

There have recently been some changes at Sovietsk Orphanage in what HopeChest does there. Sadly, Lena is no longer the discipler. We really enjoyed the time we had with here there. But the good news is that we have a new discipler that we would like to introduce to you. Her name is Anna and she will soon graduate with a degree in linguistics from Vyatka State University in Kirov City. We have not formally met her yet (we will, though, in September when we visit), but from what she has told us about herself she sounds like a good fit for the role of discipler. She's very interested in social justice and helping people. And she also enjoys history, politics, and art. I think Sarah and I will get along very well with her.

I'd also like to take this chance to underscore the importance of the discipler in HopeChest's mission. They play an important role as a mentor to the kids and interpreter for us when we visit. They're quite literally the feet on the ground and we really couldn't do what we do without people like Anna. Likewise, if we didn't have the support of sponsors we wouldn't be able to have a discipler at Sovietsk. So, thank you to everyone who generously supports what HopeChest is doing.

Letters!

2009-03-17T21:57:00.004-04:00

But this time they are TO you, not FROM you!

To Bethlehem Lutheran Church and all our sponsors,

Thank you very much for your letters. We had great holidays with our friends and tutors. We had different events, now we all go to school and the holidays are far away. We all want to congratulate you on the St. Valentine's Day. We want to wish you all the best!!!!We miss you so much!!! We hope that the meeting that we had, wasn't the last one, and that you are going to visit us again. We think about you all the time and pray for your health. Galina asks about you every time and gives her greetings to you. We congratulate the men on the 23d of February, let all their dreams come true, we wish them happiness, love and all the best.We love you so much!!!!!!

Good bye,Children, the staff and Galina

What a fun little note! As you can see, the translation and transmission of the letters takes some time--this letter was written just over a month ago and came yesterday. (Keep that in mind when writing . . .) But we were so glad to get it and share it with you!

The 23rd of February is Defender of the Fatherland Day--a military holiday that is the closest they get to a Men's Day. So, belated congratulations, Men!

It is sweet when they ask about our next visit . . . little do they know we have a team of 11(!) planning to come and see them! We usually don't mention anything to the kids ahead of the trip, just in case. They have experienced so much disappointment, and anything could happen between now and September (knock on wood!), so we wait until closer and let the caregivers tell them when they feel the time is right. It's hard to keep it in when writing, though!

If you are interested in becoming a pen pal, drop me an email. We have about 5 kids left who need pen pals and a few more who need sponsors.

Thanks to all of you who write, sponsors and pen pals alike. You should know these letters become treasured possessions. Even kids who don't write back are known to keep special stashes of the letters they receive. You are appreciated!

Secret Technology

2009-03-15T19:53:00.010-04:00

Something struck me immediately when I first visited an orphanage in Russia. I was completely surprised at the skill level demonstrated by the kids when it came to handcrafts. These kids regularly produce beautiful and intricate crafts that I'm not sure an average adult in the U.S. could match. And when you comment about how impressed you are with their work, they just kind of look at you like they're thinking, "big hairy deal." Not that they don't take pride in their work; they were showing us around and pointing out their artwork hanging on the walls. I really believe that having these skills and a form of artistic expression can be therapeutic in a way for these kids who are carrying with them a lot of emotional baggage.

One of the things that we wanted to do when we visited Sovietsk last August was to have the kids and orphanage staff teach us the skills to make these crafts (and other skills like how to cook and catch fish). I learned from my friend Vadim Petrovich in the picture above a "secret technology" for how to peel birch bark layer by layer, trace on it an outline of some interesting image, and then use a small knife to cut it out and create a silhouette. Apparently this skill is proprietary, so I won't be able to share it with anyone. Fortunately for them, I lack the finesse to do woodworking and the brainpower to remember the secret technology (I think something was lost in translation). But I was able to come away with a beautiful and original piece of art that I created myself. (Or that's how Vadim Petrovich tells it. He actually did most of the work and corrected all of my mistakes.) We've waited for the smell of varnish to wear off before hanging it in our house. But we think fondly about the kids and Vadim Petrovich when we see it.

говорите по-англииский?

2009-03-11T21:41:00.009-04:00

Do you speak English? That's among the first questions I ask when trying to communicate in Russia.

In Russia, we would be lost without our translators--many of whom speak multiple languages. Our feeble attempts at the Russian language are met with some level of enthusiasm, simply because Americans are not known for making much effort to communicate in other languages. It's fun to ask the kids "Что это?" "What is this?" and then try to repeat back to them what they said. There is usually a lot of giggling involved, and it gives our hardworking translators a break.

The translators and disciplers become some of the biggest role models for the children in the orphanages. They are well-spoken, well-educated young adults with good jobs. They help build connections between American friends and the kids. They are young enough to still be "cool" but old enough to share some wisdom. Most importantly, the disciplers are committed to the children and spend quality time hearing their stories and offering support. Misha, here, was called "Uncle Misha" by the end of our week at Sovietsk. We are grateful for our friends who have such a direct, positive impact on these young lives.

Last visit, when I asked the children what they wanted to be when they graduate, among the most common answers was "a translator." Of course, it makes perfect sense. What a wonderful goal. But, there are no English lessons at the orphanage.

So, we looked into it. We discovered that hiring English teachers for the next school year is a feasible option. Galina suggested 18 hours a week would cover lessons and extra tutoring for all 29 children, and that would only cost us $43 a week. To cover the whole school year, we would need about $1720.

It's no small number, but it really is doable. We've funded recreational activities, arts, tutors for necessities like math and grammar, and important enhancements like university preparation and driving. Imagine the opportunities that would come from English lessons--increased language skills in general, better prospects for university, maybe even a career working where most orphaned children can hardly dream of. Galina feels strongly that English lessons would help the children, and she said that there is a lot of motivation to study English, especially among the older children.

A few children from HopeChest programs have grown up to become translators and help children just like themselves. Not every child will, but one of our children might. Just imagine the possibilities for Lena, Katya, Sergey, Andrey, all of our boys and girls, if met with this opportunity.

SO, we have a new project going. We are attempting to collect $1720 in $43 increments before August 2009, so the funds can be used for the coming school year. Could you help us out? Donating is easy--click on the badge to the right. Or, could you please consider posting the badge on your blog, Facebook, etc? Just email me and I'll send you the code. Any suggestions about finding funds are welcome!

And Большое спасибо, big thanks, to all of you who care for the children of Sovietsk.

Happy Women's Day!

2009-03-08T15:12:00.008-04:00

Women's Day, the 8th of March, is a national holiday in Russia and many other countries throughout the world. Our first two visits to Russia happened to fall during Women's Day, so we were able to experience this great holiday firsthand. Our interpreters explained that it is celebrated similarly to Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. Women usually get flowers and other treats like chocolate and dancing. To wish someone a happy Women's Day, you tell her "Congratulations!"

The holiday started in the United States in 1909 with the Socialist Party of America. But the Soviet Union and the countries in the bloc adopted the day early on in order to celebrate the achievements of women and to encourage gender equality. At first, the 8th of March was heavily politicized but as time passed and women gained ground toward equality, the holiday became simply a day to celebrate and appreciate the women in your life. So, give a woman a hug and tell her how much you appreciate her.

The text on the 1932 poster is: "8th of March is the day of the rebellion of the working women against the kitchen slavery. Say NO to the oppression and Babbittry of the household work!"

SOVIETSK SUPPORTERS

Why we've been missing lately . . .

Missing Russia

It's time to send more letters!

A Visit to Moscow

Weekend Warriors--Grad gift update/extension!

Graduation Gift update

Graduation Gifts

Best. Letter. Ever.

Sovietsk Newsletter

Waving goodbye

Sending Smiles

Bikes and Skis

Will you sponsor Armik?

Another newsletter update

Grandfather Frost!

It Ain't Workin'!

Introducing Toma

Just Showing Up

For me?

Yogis and Yoginis

Meet Lonya

Poverty isn't the problem... yet.

The Reality of Personal Relationship

NEW PHOTOS!

Sponsorship Matters

Fresh Veggies

We're home!!!

Last Call--Supply Drive!

What $20 Can Do

Latest Supply Drive Update!

Another Supply Drive Update

New Friends and Supply Update

It's Supply Drive Time Again!

Encouragement!

Orphanage Hymn

Banana

Big Fundraiser!!

Her Story

PARTY! and other news

Labels

Our friends in Russia

Simple Ways to Raise Money

Keep Current!

Happy Women's Day!

Come Along

Alcoholism in Russia

Try Being in the Minority

Legendary

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

So this is Christmas . . .

Chuk-Chuk *edited*

Home for the Holidays

Happy Holidays

From the October Newsletter

Bummed.

Vadim Petrovich

It's a Small World, After All

They Grow Up Fast

Community!

The Importance of Playing Soccer

Must-see TV, Russian Style

Planting Trees

We're home!

It's coming...

Funding 2009-2010

Triple Update!

Supply Update

Graduates

Supply Drive!

July 2009 Sovietsk Newsletter

What we'll be doing in Russia

doma international

Weak = Strong

Day Three

One More Update

Travelling: Day Two

Travelling in Russia

Caregiver's Corner

Speaking the Language of Love with an Accent

Chuk-Chuk edited