From the moment we arrived in Moscow, we knew we had a lot of work ahead. Nine bags packed to their breaking point was just a portion of items to be delivered to the Russian orphanages. We brought a handful of donations such as medications, new clothes and art supplies from the U.S. but the most urgently needed items would be purchased locally in Moscow.
After one recovery day in Moscow, we were off to the Vladimir Region. Margaret made her way to Aleksandrov with an EAC family who was in Russia on their second trip. She wanted to hand deliver fresh fruits and vegetables, formula, toys and a cash donation to the orphanage and do a first-hand needs-assessment. As with most aging orphanages, a large construction project was the most evident need. The cash donation will be used to update the home’s plumbing including hot water heaters, new bathtubs & sinks and replacement of corroded pipes. It looks like the Project Sunshine Family showed up just in time.
Trisha and I had plans at the far end of the Vladimir Region in the city of Murom. We met with the director and she showed us improvements that had been made since our last visit. Electric boxes and lighting had been updated and two groups living space and bathrooms had been completely remodeled. It the last three years, Project Sunshine has spent over $27,000 on needed construction projects at Murom to bring the living conditions into the 21st century.
In true Project Sunshine fashion, we then piled back into the car for a three-hour drive to our next destination, Maria House. In Vladimir we stopped by the Ministry of Education and picked up the Minister. He welcomed us and immediately began talking about Maria House. There are still some design issues being worked out and all the papers are filed and approved with construction scheduled to begin in May. After a greeting by the Director of Lukhtonovo (site of Maria House) we were treated to dinner and an amazing talent show of dancers, singers and artists; all children living in the orphanage. It was a beautiful evening.
Our next stop was in the economically depressed city of Kameshkovo. EAC doesn’t do adoptions out of this older children orphanage and they are not used to getting visitors. On our last trip to Russia, forest fires in the area prevented us from making it to the home but we were happy to learn that our donation did. We recognized a few children and they remembered us, but many had been “emancipated” from the home since our last visit. The director updated us on the kids and had some good news and some bad news. We gave them art supplies, clothes, a digital camera to assist with needs assessments and provided a cash donation for any unanticipated needs.
We waved “goodbye” and headed back to Valdimir to visit the Vladimir Infants Home. It had gotten late and we were long out of daylight so we could only hope that the children we still waiting for us. We’d been in Russia for five days and we were prepared for the early mornings, late evenings, lots of driving, language barriers and for the state of mind needed to tour the 
orphanages. What we were not prepared for was walking in on the Director, Anessa’s birthday party. Anessa, her husband, the orphanage staff, the orphanage bus driver and anyone who’s anyone were in full swing celebrating her milestone. There was dancing, eating, funny skits and songs written and sang exclusively for this special occasion. The children were already tucked into bed and we were disappointed to not see them. But instead, we got an inside glimpse of these hard working, dedicated people enjoying a celebration for their beloved friend. Trisha and I were not treated not like a guests, but like family. It really felt like one big family of people all dedicated and committed to making children’s lives more comfortable and better. I truly wish every member of the Project Sunshine Family could have been at that table because you all deserve it and I’m sure you would also be welcomed as family.
We left the “Russian Village” hotel early and started making our way back to Moscow. There was one more stop and we were both excited to see our friends at the Sobinka orphanage in Lakinsk. The older children’s orphanage is bounding with creativity and has provided Project Sunshine with almost a hundred pieces of artwork that makes up the “Maria House Art Collection.” Our friends met us at the door and helped us with our bags as we warmed up. We were brought up to date with everything going on at the orphanage in the past year. They told us about 15 year old Elena, who was recently in Moscow where she competed in a countrywide art contest. She received an award, a banquet and a rose for her participation. Her award winning artwork was painted with paint and on canvas provided by the Project Sunshine Family. We’ve opened the door for these budding artists and their skill & creativity will take them anywhere.
We emptied our bags of gifts for the home and the children’s excitement continued to grow. With all the gifts presented, the children began to refer to Trisha & me as “Father Frost & the Snow Maiden.” I wanted to correct them and tell them that I was just “Rudolf” (the red-nosed reindeer) and the real Father Frost & Snow Maiden were all the good people in the Project Sunshine Family. I didn’t think it would translate very well so I just thanked them.
Later, we met Margaret back in Moscow and her and Trisha prepared for their flight home. They had a lot of work to do back in Cleveland so they left me all by my lonesome in Moscow. It gave me a chance to spend a few hours walking around the city and take some good photos. I couldn’t stay out too late because the next day I was off to Tver & Vyshny Volochek.
I’d never been to either and I was really excited that we had time to stop at a couple of cathedrals, which dotted the countryside. Once we got to Tver, we purchased baby formula of all kinds: regular, lactose-free, soy and others. We picked up boxes and boxes of vitamins, toys and clothes and when the van was fully loaded we started rolling toward Vyshny.
The children were playing in the courtyard when we arrived. They were chasing birds and one little girl fell flat on her face down to the pavement. The staff rushed to her aid but she was fine. Definitely a tough, little kid. I looked around the yard and wondered why there was only one small playground; playgrounds are a frequent request from the orphanage directors. I was told that the home had received about $18,000 from Project Sunshine but most of the money was used to make structural, foundation repairs on the aging home. It was a costly job but the work was evident and necessary. I toured the home and saw needed improvements in almost every room. New windows, floors, electrical work, bathrooms could all be redone. A great deal of money has been spent just on keeping the building standing upright, but now they are ready for other repairs. I promised the director I would do everything I could to help and she was almost in tears. After the staff is paid, kids are fed & clothed and the bills are paid, the orphanage has about $700 a year to make repairs on the physical structure. She said without our help, nothing would get fixed & the building would have already rejoined the ground. My heart was heavy and I didn’t want to leave, I just wanted to start fixing anything I could. My translator was very patient and politely informed me that we had to leave for Yaroslavl because the roads were becoming bad.
It was my first time in Yaroslavl and I fell in love with the bustling, historic place right away. Tanya sensed my excitement and warned me not to get lost in the city because we had to be at the orphanage very early. I somewhat heeded her warning and found a great view of the Kotorosl River, it was perfect for contemplation.
I reflected on the opportunity I’ve been given to be a part of this unique community passionate about helping children with literally nothing but their hearts, hopes and minds to get thru life. Adopting families, orphanage directors & staff, the Minister of Education, the orphans, Project Sunshine donors, bus drivers, anyone who helps all falling into one beautiful and under-appreciated tribe.
I made it back to the hotel to meet Tanya on time and we were ready to go. The moment I entered Yaroslavl #1 evidence of improvement was everywhere, freshly painted walls, new assembled furniture yet to be installed, a large pile of strollers still in their package. I met with the Director who showed me the newly renovated bathrooms (8 total) and they were all spotless. I entered the kitchen to the smell of warm fritters but what struck my senses most were the new pots, pans, refrigerators and oven exhaust.
We continued to tour the nine groups within the home and they had all (except one) been recently renovated. New toys, children’s physical therapy & exercise equipment, air purifiers, new cribs and bedding were all abundant. I also noticed the windows were all brand-new, at $800 each they’re not a cheap thing to replace.
Yaroslavl #1 is the best equipped, most comfortable and freshest feeling orphanage I have ever been in. The Director thanked me extensively but I made sure she knew that the “thanks” belongs to the families who support Project Sunshine. She asked me to thank those families, so on her behalf, “THANK YOU!!!”
Right across the Volga River from Yaroslavl’s central district, there is an Orphanage where children grow up much differently than at Yaroslavl #1. You have probably never heard of the Krasperekopskii Children’s Home because adoptive families rarely visit. Many of the kids have siblings in the home and are not adoptable due to incarcerated parents refusal to give up parental rights. Sixty children with ages ranging from 3 years to 18 years grow up together in a structure that has seen much better days.
When I asked the director what they needed most she told me “bathrooms & plumbing work.” Then I asked what else she could use and she said, “clothes, shoes, furniture, books, a new roof, or anything.” I left the home very humbled.
That night, we returned to Moscow. I had the experience of my entire trip floating around in my head. The many homes, the repairs, the cost estimates, the timeframes, the fact that with all my hurried travels across Russia, I had still only seen a small fraction of the Russian Orphanage System. All those homes out there with leaky roofs, bad toilets, stained walls and amazing beautiful children. And then my mind was at ease.
I gazed out at the frozen countryside and momentarily put all of the budgets, costs & estimates out of my mind and allowed the children I had met to playfully run thru it. They danced and sang and painted and played and some of them even tripped and fell on their face. I love these children and they are much more than a worthy cause to me. They are my friends and family. They are my bosses because I work for them. They are my unconditional love and passion. I thank all of you who hold these children in your hearts and make this all possible. The work will continue and I will keep you posted.
