Equipping orphans with Life Skills and ways to spend their free time in a meaningful way are instrumental in helping orphans become successful. More than 300 young people participated in various Ministry Center activities across the regions each month.
The Ivanovo Ministry Center launched a partnership with a local volunteer lawyer who now meets with the young people every week to advise them on housing, employment and orphan state benefits. He also encourages them in lawful behavior.
Creative classes take place twice a week at the Ministry Centers. Both young women and men, usually 7 – 10 people at a time, participate. The participants made stuffed toys, pan holders, pillows, and large quilted blankets, which they often give to the needy people in their communities.
Vladimir participants presented their arts and crafts at the regional Art Fair sponsored by a local NGO.
Katya S.: “I often come to Ministry Center. While I’m busy with some crafts my son is playing in the kid’s room. I made a quilt pillow. I spent a lot of time and efforts and the result is worthy of it. I decided to make several pillows to decorate my room”.
During one of the leadership discussions the interns in Ivanovo presented a talk on how a healthy way of life helps a person realize their full potential. The lively discussion pointed out that every day behavior, habits, choices that we make, and the ability to use one’s potential can bring benefit or disadvantages to our lives. For instance bad habits that a person acquires during schooling are hard to get rid of later. These habits can waste one’s potential; result in early aging and acquiring long-term diseases. Smoking, alcohol and drug addictions go first in the list of bad habits.
Oleg D.: “ Before the 23rd of February in the center there was a training about how it is important to take care of one’s health and how harmful are bad habits. I smoke and sometimes I drink. When you are young you think that it is right to try everything and at the dorm everybody smokes and drinks. It’s hard to be not like others. Everything that we were told was right. I’m dependant on smoking and I think I should try to quit alcohol drinking.