Item Drive!

Usually, when we travel, we have a lot of fun collecting items to bring with us and share with the kiddos. It's especially fun to give each little one their own special gift.

Usually, when we aren't traveling, we collect $ for projects as finding a way to get items to Russia gets pretty hairy (and expensive).

Since we are not sure when our next trip is, we have a few items to send. Last Christmas, Bethlehem collected birthday presents at the Birthday Party for Jesus, and we FINALLY have a way to get everything to Russia!

We would love to round it out a bit, to be sure every child has something special. We'd love your help! Now through August 17, we are collecting the following:

-10 pairs of girls' socks
-10 pairs of boys' socks
-13 girls' winter hats
-11 boys' winter hats
-4 pair girls' winter gloves
-7 pair boys' winter gloves
-20 toothbrushes
-6 simple girls' toys (toy jewelry, small (!) stuffed animal or doll, etc . . . . something equivalent to a toy car)
-$$$ for shipping (Money can go directly to Children's HopeChest marked Soviestk fund or we can collect any contributions)

We will be sending all kinds of fun toys, school supplies, and a few odd items here and there.

We also have a young man fighting major illness--lupus, to be precise--and we are waiting on some information  concerning his ongoing financial need to manage his disease. We have some great kids graduating as well, and we are glad to collect funds for graduation gifts for them.

And of course, LETTERS!

More info to come! Thank you for sharing your love!

It's time to send more letters!

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.

Weekend Warriors--Grad gift update/extension!

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

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!

So this is Christmas . . .

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!

They Grow Up Fast

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!

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.

Must-see TV, Russian Style

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planting Trees

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

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

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

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

Funding 2009-2010

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

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

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

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

The total for these programs is $4,860.00 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple Update!

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

Requisite Supply Update

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

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

Trip Plan Update

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

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

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

From Ann Butorova

Supply Update

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

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

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

Graduates

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

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

English lessons

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!

говорите по-англииский?

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.

One Orphan

When we first met Children's HopeChest, we watched One Orphan:

Here, some young orphanage graduates share some of what their lives were like before the orphanage and some of the challenges of leaving the orphanage on their own. Their family experiences were painfully devastating, and their stories are familiar. In 1998, Human Rights Watch reported that 95% of children in orphanages have living parents, meaning these children bear the scars of knowing a parent is either unable, unfit, or unwilling to care for them. It's a lot for any heart to take.

We talk a lot about adoption. The best place for a child is in a safe and nurturing family, and adoptive parents have one of the most important and wonderful jobs on earth. But despite attempts to increase adoption within Russia, a very small percentage of the nearly 4 million orphaned or abandoned children are adopted.

I have heard some stories of what it means to be an orphan in Russia. I have heard that in Russia, a child's soul comes from his or her mother. If a child doesn't have a mother, the child doesn't have a soul. I have heard that in order to abandon your child, you must have 'bad blood.' If your mother had bad blood, you must also have bad blood. You hear Natasha sharing that she used to feel like the 'trash of society.'

This is why HopeChest focuses on relationships. No amount of financial aid alone can save a child from the dire future that awaits orphanage graduates in Russia. The statistics translate into real stories. HopeChest staff has lost children and young adults to violence, drugs, crime, prostitution, and suicide. But they have also seen children discover who they truly are, who they were created to be. They have nurtured children toward healing and healthy, restorative relationships. Our children begin to understand that they are valuable, important, loved and treasured.

The young adults speaking in the One Orphan video have changed their lives with the love and guidance of HopeChest staff and sponsors. They now work with Fund Nadezhda (HopeChest in Russia) to share their hope with other children in the orphanage systems, showing them that they have choice, that their future can change.

Beyond orphanage sponsorship, HopeChest works in Ministry Centers and Family Centers. The Ministry Centers are a gathering place for orphanage graduates, where they can maintain contact with friends and mentors as they are out on their own or in tech school. The Family Centers are independent living, where the graduates live with or near each other under the supervision of healthy adults. We believe that the support found in these programs is crucial to ensuring that the graduates are able to not only survive, but thrive out in the world. They are on their own but never alone.

The Third Wish

The last of the Three Wishes from Sovietsk staff was this:

Please pray for the boys and girls who need to finish this school year well, for the graduates to find their way in life, and for the director and staff who take care of the children.
Ben's brother often quotes Tito Colliander, saying "Prayer is action." I know we have a diverse group of readers, and I expect no two of us pray the same or even believe the same. So I am pondering what 'prayer is action' may mean to our kids at Sovietsk . . .

The boys and girls need to finish this school year well. Some of our kids are on the verge of leaving school without graduating--we have17 and 18 year old ninth graders, on their last chances. A 15 year old girl wrote she was having difficulty with her studies, but she is working hard and 'hop[ing she] will cope with everything.' She has so much to cope with . . . here in the US, we hear all the time how parental involvement is a huge factor in academic success. The kids at Sovietsk deal with developmental challenges and emotional barriers, with so many of their basic human needs lacking, and without parental support. They need love, encouragement, and help. They are trying to learn not only math and language and science, but discipline and problem solving and a healthy mix of trust and independence. They need strong, dedicated adults as mentors, tutors, cheerleaders, and unconditional friends.

For the graduates to find their way in life takes more of the same. They are so young, and they are expected to navigate an adult world without the emotional or financial support of a family. The odds are truly stacked against them: 50% of orphan graduates in Russia live on crime, 30% eat with money earned through prostitution, 60% cope through drugs or alcohol, and 15% are unable to cope and end their own lives.

The directors and staff know this, and they do all they can to help the children learn to live and love. I can hardly imagine the burden of filling a mother's role for 28 children with extreme emotional needs. This is why the directors partner with other people who care, and this is why they send special requests for letters, for warm clothes, for extra prayer and support.

So, through the prayers and actions of Sovietsk supporters, our kids have more adults in their lives: coaches, tutors, music and arts and crafts teachers, and disciplers Lena and Ann. They have friends a world away who express genuine and unconditional concern. They have opportunities to study within their strengths, whether medicine, science, driving, or language. They have a place to come home to when they go on to tech school, as Galina maintains an open home for the graduates. But there is so much more to do . . .

I have focused quite a bit on the positive things happening at Sovietsk, and we are so thankful for the positive impact you have had as generous donors and supporters. But I think it is time to unveil some of the more painful realities of institutional living. As I begin to share more and more about our kids, please consider how our prayers, and our actions, can shape their futures. We would love to hear your thoughts about what else we can do to help our kids at Sovietsk meet a brighter future.

The First Wish

So, with the new year we have Three Wishes for Sovietsk. The first is to have someone writing regular letters to each child at Sovietsk:

They are really happy when they receive letters from you.It would be very nice if you continue writing to them, and if possible to them all, as some of them are a bit envious that to some children come 3 or 4 letters in a month.

Caregiver Irina's words made us so happy--we are glad you are continuing to write, and we thank you so much! But we are sad to share that a number of kids, some new to the orphanage and some waiting a long time, are not receiving letters.

For example, Oksana, the first girl in the picture, was waiting over a year in our program before she began receiving letters. She now has a sponsor and some American friends who write to her. She is a very sweet girl who was quite shy when we met her, and I look forward to seeing her personality grow as she begins to understand just how special she is.

The other girls, Katya and Larisa, are sisters who are new to Sovietsk. When we visited last August, they were staying at a family home in Dolbiylova as a transition to the orphanange. Though the orphanage staff welcomed them warmly, I cannot imagine the challenge and disappointment of moving from family life to institutional life. These sweet girls do not have American pen pals, and I am hoping that will change soon.

Will you please consider committing to write regularly to one of our kids? Will you please share this opportunity with friends and family? It is free and easy. You could become a full sponsor, but the letters are most important. If you email me, I will be glad to answer any questions and get you started. When you choose a child, I will share with you his or her age, grade in school, hobbies and interests, and any special challenges he or she faces. We will give you guidelines and ideas for letter writing, and all you have to do is type a quick and heartfelt email. It means more to the kids than you can understand!

Take Tania, for example. We met her in August. She has graduated and left the orphanage, but she was back to visit for the holidays. (Galina is very generous, allowing the graduates to treat the orphanage as their home if they follow the rules.) I was so happy to hear from her! A major purpose of our programs is to keep the kids connected to people who care about them once they leave the orphanage and enter a very dangerous world. Thanks to Tania's sponsors and her relationships at Sovietsk, she is in a better place than many other graduates. She says:

I'm writing to you with great pleasure and in a very good mood. Now I'm studying in Novovyatsk. I like my studies. I am going to become a master of joinery and furniture work.
I like to make embroidery. I've made a lot of pictures already. I think you were told about my works when you visited us.
I can imagine your impression from visiting another country. I also want to visit some other country. I remember my visit to Kirov though I was only 7. We were taken to the local circus. It produced a great impression on me because I had seen wild animals for the first time.
I was also very happy to communicate with you. Everything was so interesting to me.
Good bye.
With love and tender hug,
Tatyana

*A special welcome to our new readers from the Kirov Yahoo group. We're glad you're here!

Three Wishes

Here are the last few updates from the caregivers and directors at Sovietsk. They contain three wishes that we will do our best to grant, with your help.

First, for letters:

First of all let me thank you for all your care for our children. They are really happy when they receive letters and presents from you. It would be very nice if you continue writing to them, and if possible to them all, as some of them are a bit envious that to some children come 3 or 4 letters in a month. It is really interesting for them to receive letters especially from children, with whom they can share their interests and so on.
We are also looking forward to your visiting us because these are unforgettable memories for the children. From Caregiver Irina Nikolaevna

SO, we also request that you continue writing. It appears that we have some dedicated writers from our last big letter drive, so thank you! However, there are a number of children who are new to the orphanage who do not have anyone to write to them--their names are listed to the right and below. PLEASE consider becoming a pen pal for one (or two) of them. And please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. It is very easy! Just email me and I will give you some background information and an email address to send your letters. If you have internet access, writing letters is free!

Second, for socks and gloves:

Winter is here and there is a great need here for warm clothes, especially warm socks and warm gloves. What ever help you can provide would be wonderful blessing. Thank you again for you letters and support.
Assistant Director Anisiya Vachreneva

SO, we are holding a Sock and Glove Drive! Since it costs more to send actual socks/gloves to Russia than they are worth, we are just collecting funds for the Sovietsk general fund at HopeChest. Just $5 can help keep a kid warm! Even in this crazy world, most of us can handle that much. Please consider donating--you can donate on the right--and please designate your funds "Sovietsk Sock and Glove Drive."

And finally, for prayer, as requested by disciplers and caregivers:

Please pray for the boys and girls who need to finish this school year well, for the graduates to find their way in life, and for the director and staff who take care of the children.

Enough said there.
We are so grateful that there are so many of you who love these kids!

Good News from Kirov Grads

After children graduate from the orphanages in Russia (anywhere between ages 14-18), many of them go to technical school. This is usually nothing like a tech school you might see here. They can be horrible, disheartening places--unsafe dorms, abusive peers and teachers, sub par education, simply a continuation of the loneliness and discouragement of life as an orphaned child.

But, for all the awful stories out there, there are stories of hope and promise as well. In Kirov region, home to Sovietsk orphanage, Children's HopeChest is engaging with the children at the tech schools. Lives are changing. Read more about it at Ben's brother Daniel's blog:

danieljclark.com


Dan works for Children's HopeChest and has the privilege of finding more supporters for programs like these. One unique feature of HopeChest programs is that they seek to maintain ties with our kids until they are at least 23--well into their young adult lives, in Russian terms. Now that Sovietsk has supporters, the future is much brighter for the children there. We hope and pray that the relationships we are building now at Sovietsk will continue to bring joy and hope as our children go out and face the world.