I would like to extend a very big thank you to Betsy for sending me this link. I knew someone would have it and all I had to do was ask.
The organization I was referring to in my previous post is The Promise and the care structure they use is called Portage. The gist of it is doing a game or activity with a disabled child for 30 minutes a day. The game or activity is based on what the child can do and then repeated and repeated and repeated.
I am very happy to hear that this organization still exists. In fact they just celebrated their 5 year anniversary last October. This is the type of program I would like Sweet Hope to eventually become. The Promise works in the baby home in Ryazan, Russia and at the special needs orphanage in Yelatma. I would like to extend this type of program to other areas of Russia and want to start in Khabarovsk.
If you do watch the video please know that this is the harsh reality of a Russian orphanage. The children in the baby home footage are exactly like the group of children we visited on our trips. 80% of Oleg’s group was disabled. You will see how the children are fed, their play area, their bedroom and the bathroom. The only thing you don’t get is the smell. You will see footage of a child rocking herself in a crib. This is what my child does every time he goes to sleep. Still. It is no exaggeration and can be quite shocking to watch.
When the time comes to place your orders for Sweet Hope please keep this video in mind. These are the kinds of children your money goes to help.