Shelter
The Shelter is very different since school started. We go in the morning and for the first half of our time we are with the kids to young to attend school. Since there are only 5-8 of them it is a lot more intimate. I love it and I have two buddies that I play cars with every day. We tape construction paper together and buid road and ramps etc and then use blocks to build houses.
The second half of our time is spent outside and the older kids usually join us so there are 15-25 kids. I play basketball, baseball and futbul with a group of about 8-10 guys who are mostly 11-15.
We really have a good time and the kids are so glad we are there that it really makes you feel good. Every day when we arrive they come up to us with big grins and super hugs and it is just wonderful.
Sometimes I forget about the tradegy that some of these kids are living. Marsha, the one from early photos who made me my back trinket, spent all day last Tuesday in court as her parents parental rights were decided. The father lost his completely and the mother is on 6 months probation. So Marsha will be at the Shelter for at least 6 more months and then, if her mother passes probation, she can go home. Other wise she will be permently assigned to an orphanage. From the girl who had the best smile in Russia, she instantly became so sad that I almost cry when I see her. Only today, almost a week later, did I finally get to see a glimpse of her former self. A hint of a smile.
Another of my friends is at the shelter because his father is in prison and his mother is unfit. Such innonence ruined by irresponsibility.
One of my basketball buddies, Vanya, has been missing for a couple of days and I was wondering were he was. I got a great suprise today at lunch when the group of volunteers that go to the hospital said a new kid was asking them if they knew борис. Suprise, suprise. My buddy Vanya. I will have to visit him at the hosptial before I leave.
And leaving will be hard. I am already dreading it. I am thinking of extending another two weeks, but sooner or later the day will come.
But the new group that is here is terrific. They all have a lot of energy and ideas and are extremely interesting people. That coupled with the CCS staff has made this such an incredibe experience.
The second half of our time is spent outside and the older kids usually join us so there are 15-25 kids. I play basketball, baseball and futbul with a group of about 8-10 guys who are mostly 11-15.
We really have a good time and the kids are so glad we are there that it really makes you feel good. Every day when we arrive they come up to us with big grins and super hugs and it is just wonderful.
Sometimes I forget about the tradegy that some of these kids are living. Marsha, the one from early photos who made me my back trinket, spent all day last Tuesday in court as her parents parental rights were decided. The father lost his completely and the mother is on 6 months probation. So Marsha will be at the Shelter for at least 6 more months and then, if her mother passes probation, she can go home. Other wise she will be permently assigned to an orphanage. From the girl who had the best smile in Russia, she instantly became so sad that I almost cry when I see her. Only today, almost a week later, did I finally get to see a glimpse of her former self. A hint of a smile.
Another of my friends is at the shelter because his father is in prison and his mother is unfit. Such innonence ruined by irresponsibility.
One of my basketball buddies, Vanya, has been missing for a couple of days and I was wondering were he was. I got a great suprise today at lunch when the group of volunteers that go to the hospital said a new kid was asking them if they knew борис. Suprise, suprise. My buddy Vanya. I will have to visit him at the hosptial before I leave.
And leaving will be hard. I am already dreading it. I am thinking of extending another two weeks, but sooner or later the day will come.
But the new group that is here is terrific. They all have a lot of energy and ideas and are extremely interesting people. That coupled with the CCS staff has made this such an incredibe experience.
posted by Bryan at 8:08 AM
<< Home