May 31st was graduation, and our whole team plus some decided to go! That included me (Janna), Daniel, Meisha, Lexi, Oksana (our translator), Doug, Suzie, Benjamin, Megan, Katya (Megan's friend), Geoff (friend of Doug), and Dima (friend of Doug), plus four tires and 19 graduation gifts. The ceremony was quite interesting, but of course it was in Ukrainian, so we didn't understand most of it. The director called out each student's name and gave them their certificates, some of the graduates performed a waltz, one graduate sang a song, and then there were some other parts of the ceremony that I'm not sure what was happening. Maybe they were plotting to take over Moldova. I think not, though, because who wants Moldova?
What struck me most was that on stage, none of the graduates were smiling, and it seemed like a few didn't care or just weren't interested. Even some of the parents seemed bored, busy talking on their cell phones or hollering at a mom to keep her baby quiet. In the states, graduation is supposed to be an exciting day, right? Everyone is smiling and happy, and there are parties to go to. Parents are proud, friends have fun together, and although most ceremonies are rather dull, the general feeling is positive because everyone knows that a major mile marker has been reached.
The kids at the orphanage graduate at 15 or 16 years old. They are on their own now. While most of the kids in the States have parents cheering them on, some of the kids' parents here didn't even show up for graduation. In fact,they didn't show up for their kids' lives. What's more, these kids have grown up in an orphanage which does very little to prepare them for life on their own. They have minimal education, next to no life skills, no job experience, no practice budgeting or taking care of themselves. They have no one to help them through the big important decisions. This is why these kids become statistics. This is why alcoholism, early pregnancy, child abandonment, joblessness, drug abuse, and suicide happen here. The system is setting these kids up for failure. That's why we are building the Smile House Transition Home. That's why we're here serving and doing everything we can for these kids.
Speaking of serving these kids, here's something positive. We brought the grad bags I had put together, and real quick I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped! The bags were sitting outside of the auditorium, and so the kids saw them before the ceremony, but didn't know what they were. Two of graduates, Yulia and Kolya, asked me if they were gifts. I said "YES! Of course!" Kolya, being a guy, smiled at me, and Yulia, being Yulia, screamed, jumped up and down from sheer joy and excitement, and then gave me a huge hug. At least 2 kids were very happy to get the gifts. In care you're wondering, each duffel bag had personal products, a monogrammed towel and washcloth, treats, school supplies, and a Bible that everyone on our team signed.
We proceeded to hand out each bag, but didn't get to talk to the kids much. Once the ceremony was over, it cleared out fast! I did get to use the Russian phrase for "I wish you good luck!" though, and all the kids understood me (I think)! Or they just nodded and smiled, thinking "who is this crazy American? And what is she blabbing on about?" I guess I'll never know! We just had time for a few pictures before everyone left; here they are:
What struck me most was that on stage, none of the graduates were smiling, and it seemed like a few didn't care or just weren't interested. Even some of the parents seemed bored, busy talking on their cell phones or hollering at a mom to keep her baby quiet. In the states, graduation is supposed to be an exciting day, right? Everyone is smiling and happy, and there are parties to go to. Parents are proud, friends have fun together, and although most ceremonies are rather dull, the general feeling is positive because everyone knows that a major mile marker has been reached.
The kids at the orphanage graduate at 15 or 16 years old. They are on their own now. While most of the kids in the States have parents cheering them on, some of the kids' parents here didn't even show up for graduation. In fact,they didn't show up for their kids' lives. What's more, these kids have grown up in an orphanage which does very little to prepare them for life on their own. They have minimal education, next to no life skills, no job experience, no practice budgeting or taking care of themselves. They have no one to help them through the big important decisions. This is why these kids become statistics. This is why alcoholism, early pregnancy, child abandonment, joblessness, drug abuse, and suicide happen here. The system is setting these kids up for failure. That's why we are building the Smile House Transition Home. That's why we're here serving and doing everything we can for these kids.
Speaking of serving these kids, here's something positive. We brought the grad bags I had put together, and real quick I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped! The bags were sitting outside of the auditorium, and so the kids saw them before the ceremony, but didn't know what they were. Two of graduates, Yulia and Kolya, asked me if they were gifts. I said "YES! Of course!" Kolya, being a guy, smiled at me, and Yulia, being Yulia, screamed, jumped up and down from sheer joy and excitement, and then gave me a huge hug. At least 2 kids were very happy to get the gifts. In care you're wondering, each duffel bag had personal products, a monogrammed towel and washcloth, treats, school supplies, and a Bible that everyone on our team signed.
We proceeded to hand out each bag, but didn't get to talk to the kids much. Once the ceremony was over, it cleared out fast! I did get to use the Russian phrase for "I wish you good luck!" though, and all the kids understood me (I think)! Or they just nodded and smiled, thinking "who is this crazy American? And what is she blabbing on about?" I guess I'll never know! We just had time for a few pictures before everyone left; here they are:
Ok, so I do have a favorite graduate! This is me with Kolya! Out of the boys, he was the only one that ever approached me and made the effort to talk to me. He wants to know English, and he is always polite and well-mannered, which is generally rare at the orphanage.
Janna (in blue; she shares my Russian name) will graduate next year. The two girls on the right, Marina and Bogdana, are interested in living at Smile House. We hope they do!
Me with Yulia. She was the one so excited that we brought gifts!
Kolya and Roostam-best buds! We've seen them together a lot; Roostam was teaching Kolya how to box; and they were often seen doing crazy regimes of conditioning.
Some of the group. Cool red banners, eh? The boy on the right in the blue shirt truly graduated. I can't believe how young he looks, and now he's on his own.
Me with Oksana; isn't she beautiful?
Giving a bag to Olya!
This is Vladislav. I never got to know him because the older boys rarely talked to us.
This is Vova; we played volleyball one time; that's why I know his name!
Hooray for grad bags! I think Yann likes it!
This is Andrei; he's twins with Yann (see picture above).
Dennis receiving his grad bag.
We enjoyed the day; its always great to see the kids, but there was definitely an emptiness after we left. I kept thinking, "so this is it? These kids are gone. Have we done enough?"
For most of the graduates, we won't know for sure. We can try to stay in touch, but it's easy to lose track of them. Meanwhile, seventeen 8th graders just became 9th graders. We have our work cut out for us. But that's why we're here.
For most of the graduates, we won't know for sure. We can try to stay in touch, but it's easy to lose track of them. Meanwhile, seventeen 8th graders just became 9th graders. We have our work cut out for us. But that's why we're here.
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