Not a lot to report regarding Elona, we did not get to bring her home yesterday, she had to stay to be in another performance of some kind. So we hung out at the orphanage. The disappointment was that we had planned to Skype with Ben and Robbin….their first live meeting. We will try again next weekend. School is finally out of quarantine, so during the week we will not be going to the orphanage until 4:00.Last night we meet up with some Americans that Pam and Len had connected us up with. They are also friends the Mike and Gail (blog followers who have 4 adopted children from Sevastopol). Jaimee and Andy are a young couple from California but live here in Sevastopol. They had just returned from the States where they we raising funds for their charitable organization. Operation Lazarus helps kids that have graduated from the orphanages and are out on their own with no jobs and no income. Jamiee and Andy brought two friends with them, Amanda and Jarrod, that will be staying for the next year (possibly longer) to help them with their projects. Jarrod was a juvenile probation officer in CA, before coming here. Jaimee and Andy know many of the orphans before they graduate from working each summer at the summer camp that the orphans attend. Right now they help the kids as much as possible in a multitude of ways; food, medicine, friendship etc. Their long term goal is to raise enough money to open a temporary housing center. It turns out that the government will give orphans free housing when they graduate, but the paper work can take up to a year (imagine that). Their facility would give kids a place to go while they are waiting for their place and also a recreational type facility to give kids a place to come for holidays and special occasions. We commend them for their great work.
The six of us went to a nice café the ‘the Greenwich” for dinner. They have two English menus – yeah. I had pancakes (which are crepes) with chicken and cheese and Roger had grilled chicken with broccoli. The next time we go, I am getting the desert pancakes with peaches, they looked delicious. We had a great time and look forward to meeting up with them again soon. When we left they showed us where the flower market is – Pam and Len, we will be heading there if this weather ever warms up.
Kelley and Roger
Glad to see you've hooked up with Jamiee and Andy. I remember last year when we were there..... One of the boys, who had aged out of the orphanage, left the desky dom for good. He walked down the road with a sleeping bag and a bag of toiletries he had been given. It was so sad - not sure where he was heading... Later I saw on Jamiee and Andy's newsletter, pictures of him. It was comforting to know he had connected with them. Obviously, being 18, no family and left to his own devices, in such a poor country, the future is not bright. They do great work and will no doubt make a difference in the lives of many older orphans.
ReplyDeleteKelley - I talked to Robbin last night..... I've been emailing you off line but evidently you are not getting them. She said there were unopened emails in your in box from me. Not sure what's going on.... just wanted you to know that I've been trying to stay in touch.
Just so you know - I'm getting the full compliment of parenting responsibilities in a few short days. Science projects, selling mulch, sax practice and today - he got sick so he'll be home from school tomorrow. This parenting stuff is not simple
ReplyDeleteNo worries though - I think I nursed him back to health - with a couple of hours of sleep and a tylenol.
Robbin
What a nice surprise. I am so glad that you met up with them. They are a great couple. We missed them this time, while they were visiting the states. Give them a hug from all of us Nealey's...Greenwich, that's right. Now I remember LOL.. Great food and coffee. :D
ReplyDeleteHopefully it should be warming up soon. I was surprised to see that there was snow in Simferopol. The first time we were there was at the end of March, the weather was like spring, but all the locals were still bundled up. They would look at us like... Get a jacket you crazy American. LOL...
Hopefully you will get out and see the Greek Ruins. A beautiful place to see.
Can't wait till the next update. :D
Blessings,