Back to School
For a child at Shpola Orphanage in Ukraine, “Back to School” is very different. It’s NOT the familiar waxy smell of crayons, freshly sharpened pencils and a cool new backpack.
It’s much more basic. Instead, it’s hot food at meal times, a safe place to sleep, indoor plumbing and clean school uniforms. Maybe, it’s painfully saying goodbye to Mom or a relative that probably won’t be seen again for months. For many, it’s readying oneself for the torment soon to be dished out from bullies and teachers alike. It’s being resigned to the fact of spending another year with 137 other kids in a dismal institution, and it’s a relief.
On September 1, schools (even orphan schools) across Ukraine officially welcomed a new school year at a ceremony called First Bell. Children picked flowers to present to their teachers, dressed up in their best clothes and came to hear encouraging speeches, poems and songs. It has become a tradition for Hope Now to open the orphan school at Shpola, and I prepared a speech about “Peace” that I hoped would inspire and challenge the children and staff.
After the big ceremony, our dedicated team of volunteers spent time with the all the kids, took photos, played sports & games and ate bananas together! In addition, most of our 70 sponsored orphans at Shpola experienced an even more positive “Back to School” because they received an encouraging letter from their sponsor in the USA.
Thank you for your faithful support and love, for the least of these.
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Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!
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Meanwhile, just in the past year, Ukraine has suffered 124,500-131,000 total casualties, including 15,500-17,500 killed in action and 109,000-113,500 wounded in action, according to the document entitled "Russia/Ukraine - Assessed Combat Sustainability and Attrition." And not just on Monday, but on every day in Ukraine, people just like us remember and honor the loved ones who have died these past 457 days defending their country. With your help, Hope Now does whatever we can to help protect Ukrainian lives – civilians and soldiers alike.
