Where will they live?

Monday the 26th we visited our 2009 Camp Chaperon, Tatiana, at her home in Vishgorod just north of Kiev.  Her husband, Nicoli, is the director of the orphanage in Petrivski, of which we were unable to see on this visit.  Their two sons are both grown and the youngest, Serogiy is employed utilizing his world economics degree under a deputy minister in that big building next to St. Michaels.  Much of our conversation was surrounding the state of affairs of orphanages in Ukraine with them sharing that only 310 orphanages of the previous 659 are still open today.  It appears that there are many reasons for this, but one such reason is the implementation of the foster care system.  Nicoli has seen many of his children leave his program, only to return once the short lived monetary incentives wore off with the new foster family.

We can only speculate that this isn't the norm, and that perhaps there are many positive reasons for the diminishing number of orphanages.  However, the bleak future of all orphanages was repeatedly communicated from Tatiana, as she tells that their orphanage is slated to close next year like many others. Their fears are that reform is being legislated without the ability to truly bring about positive change.  The specific orphanage in Petrivski that Nicoli is running also happens to be one of the finest facilities in the local village which could house a desperately needed kindergarten.  Even worse, is that there are no specific plans for what to do with the remaining children except to, "turn them to the streets to stroll," stated Tatiana.  They have some German sponsors that have poured their finances and love into this orphanage.  It just wouldn't be fair to the sponsors or the children for such a tragedy of closure to occur.  Nicoli is burdened with not knowing how he can present this news of closure to the children when it happens!  Like so many situations in Ukraine, there also happens to be some political motives with a local election just around the corner and savvy politicians looking for a quick solution with the associated votes. Turning this orphanage into a kindergarten is one such quick solution for the politicians.  Tatiana is not quite ready to give up fighting.  She has been interviewed by area officials and promised to bring attention to this situation through local activism outlets if closure of the orphanage comes true.  She is aware of the high risk that she is placing on her and her family, but the children must be given a voice!

Like we often find when looking in depth into so many areas of this country, the problems are overwhelming and in huge need of prayer.  For now, we asked for the blessings on our beautifully prepared duck, borscht, blinchniki (sweet pancakes) and kortoshka. 

Tatiana, Natalie, Clarke, Rhya & Nicoli

Tatiana took time to specifically remember each and every volunteer that she could from the 2009 UOO camp, and asked that we share a warm "hello" and "thank-you" to each volunteer. The girls watched an episode of I-Carley (in Russian) while the parents droned on about boring topics.  We shared some photos and caught up on each other's families and had a wonderful visit...... that is if you can put the needy children out of your mind.