Poverty isn't the problem... yet.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

We're home!!!

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

Last Call--Supply Drive!

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!