Slobodskoy Orphanage


	A Message from Disciples

Our Dear Friends,

Life at our orphanage has been very busy and interesting over the course of this spring. We celebrated many bright events and fun holidays! Nothing was left without attention and creativity. This Spring, our American friends came over not only to help melt the stubborn late March snow with their unconditional love and beaming happiness, but also to celebrate the orphanage’s 50th anniversary! It was a fantastic week for everyone! We will forever remember it and will wait for your next visit!

The kids were also greatly involved in the national Spring holidays like Women’s Day, Labor Day Victory Day and of course they enjoyed Easter. But in spite much fun time, the kids didn’t forget to study hard to get prepared for their final tests and exams. They all did well and now can relax at camp or at their relatives’ during the sunny months of summer. Summer doesn’t mean only rest and relaxation – our kids are very industrious and know their daily duties about cleaning the rooms and working in the garden.


	Discipleship lessons

This spring, we paid our visits to the orphanage on a regular basis trying to bring some fresh news and letters from Chapel Hill. We talked over and over about the amazing events of the Russian-American week and looked at numerous pictures! Also, we were updated on the current affairs of the kids and duly participated in their activities. For the International Women’s Day, Masha prepared a slideshow and a quiz containing the traditions of this holiday around the world. The boys learned how to give a compliment’s to the girls, and made some beautiful cards to give to them.

On Easter, the kids learned about religious traditions of this great holiday and were able to watch a movie about Jesus Christ in the library. Many kids went to Kirov that day to watch a special performance and eat at a fancy restaurant. They enjoyed their field trip immensely!

Victory Day was greatly honored at the orphanage as well- we all had the privilege to take part in the town parade and laid wreaths on the soldiers’ graves. Later, we watched a movie about the Great Patriotic War in the library. It was rather surprising to see that most of the kids took a strong interest in the historic events of the war.

Our sports lessons started when the snow melted away and the weather was nice. When this happened we got to go out and kick the new soccer balls and play basketball. Now that the boys received new boots (cleats), shin guards, and balls, they seemed to start playing with more desire and confidence! Sometimes we competed with the community kids, mostly because once they are at Tech School, they will have to meet new people and make new friends. The older boys played soccer so well as a team and I am sad to say that their team will break up soon.


	Team Visits

In the end of March, a large team from North Carolina came down and marked the third visit on Slobodskoy soil. The kids welcomed them not as guests but as friends! Through the never-ending hugs and smiles the week started with a traditional tour of the house, rocking name tags, and sweet family time. The days felt as if there was not enough time to include all the interesting games and events held. The talent show was a hit, especially when the kids performed together with their American friends. Everybody was so happy singing songs and dancing around together. The sports show the G’olympics in spite of the chilly weather and snow on the ground. The teams allowed the kids to unite better as the races always demanded cooperation and mutual assistance.

At the end of each day, the ‘families’ gathered together to share the impressions of the day, or just to hang out and play board games. The graduates future were thoroughly discussed and lots of valuable advice was given. Several former graduates who had been invited to the celebration were also able to give some good recommendations to the soon to be tech school students. It was evident that the American youth had a great role in building unique relationships with the kids. In spite of the last day being full of tears and sad feelings, it was an awesome week of friendship that will live in our hearts forever.