Making a difference...

I just came back from Russia where I spent three wonderful days at our Vladimir Dacha participating in the camp for older orphans. It's remarkable to see the impact this program is having in these young people’s lives. I saw them share work and fun, enjoying the fruit of their labor in a safe refuge, bringing  their life troubles and joys to their mentor Andrei, and eagerly participating in healthy life activities. These young men and women who come to our program are more likely to stay off the streets and lead a productive lifestyle than those who don’t. During one of the days at the Dacha I found out about two young men in the neighborhood who were found dead from drug overdoses, a poignient reminder of what we're up against, and how wonderful it is to make a difference. Another trip highlight was realizing that so many of our young people, inspired by the program, impact the lives of their peers.  Christina, a program participant, has been sharing a room with another girl named Natasha. Natasha hasn’t been working for three years, living off renting out a room in her flat. Having too much free time and some free money Natasha engaged in some unhealthy life style choices. Nothing seemed to encourage her to go to work. But since Christina started participating in the Dacha program she has been constantly sharing with Natasha the joy of planting and reaping, the joy of having clean fun through good hard work. Some days Christina would call Natasha on the phone several times and just yell with excitement.  It took several months for Natasha to hear Christina. But she finally did. Today Natasha is working. I hope she’ll continue pointing her life in a better direction and receiving the many rewards that work gives us beyond just money.

Bill, Holly, Munro and Beth came to our Dacha camp and taught the young people break the boards. One has to have faith to do it!

Masha is a great cook! That borszh was awesome.

Sharing work and fun...