What's Going On...

It was a sad day recently when I went to Hope Orphanage to disassemble the shelves for Sparrow's Hope Store. I also took the computers from the computer lab. It is sad to us that Hope Orphanage is closing just when our program was running so well. However, we have created a computer lab in the worship room. We will also install a washing machine and dryer in the worship room in the next few weeks. We are gearing up for the first of September when the kids who are going to the technical schools will move to their dormitories.

The Hope Orphanage kids are at summer camp currently and will be there until the middle of August. The orphanage director told us she will provide information about where the children will be living when they leave the orphange and try to help us arrange a meeting with foster parents for those kids who are going into foster care. We hope to maintain contact with and continue to provide help for as many of the sponsored children as possible.

When the kids arrive back at the orphanage after summer camp we will have another shopping trip with them to help them get ready for the start of school. We recently delivered supplies to them that they would need for camp.

Thanks to all our sponsors for making a difference in the lives of these children.

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Party at Hope Orphanage

Today was the last day of school for kids in Ukraine and we had a party for the kids at Hope Orphanage. The kids put on a small concert/talent show, and we had food for them following. Everyone had a great time and the kids were well dressed because they went shopping recently and were instructed to buy nice clothes for the final bell (a really important event in Ukraine). Before we could leave the orphanage, several of the kids wanted to drive again! (I let some of them drive the other day when we went shopping). Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to provide important things and events for these children.

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Shopping with the Hope Orphanage Kids

Today we took 15 more kids shopping at the outdoor market. They were instructed to buy some nice clothes for the last day of school. I am always amazed at the way these kids share with one another and how they make their money stretch so far. I had a group of guys and we finished first so they wanted to sit in the car with me which soon led to driving around the parking lot. It was the first time any of these kids had driven - scared Lora to death, made the kids SO HAPPY! Thanks to our donors for making it possible to help these children.

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May Shopping Trip

Today we took 17 kids from Hope Orphanage to the outdoor market to shop for clothes, shoes and other items. The kids were instructed to make sure they purchased some good dress clothes for the last day of school (which will also be important again on September 1st for the first day of school). We had a great time shopping with the kids. We decided to take them out for pizza following the shopping trip and that was also a great time. We ended the meal with ice cream and everyone had a wonderful day. Thanks to all our sponsors for giving generously so that these kids can have the things they need. Your gifts are changing lives.

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More Kids Shopping

On Sunday we took the second group of kids from Hope Orphanage shopping. We drove through sleet to get to the market and although it cleared up for shopping, it was really cold! However, the kids did not let that bother them. They foudn the things they needed and wanted and even enjoyed some hot dogs, pizza and coffee! Thanks to our donors who make it possible for these kids to purchase the things they need.

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Shopping Trip

Today we took 15 kids from Hope Orphanage to the Market for shopping. The weather was cold and rainy, more like winter than the beginning of spring. The rain did not dampen the spirits of the kids as they shopped, they were their normal joyful selves. It is always fun, and a bit humbling, to shop with these kids. They are serious about getting good deals, even willing to bargain for a better price with the vendors! They are also generous with one another. Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to provide for these children.

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Sparrow's Hope Store

Yesterday Lora, Dasha and I worked to restock the store at Hope Orphanage. The kids were glad to see us, helped us carry all the supplies up to the fourth floor where the store is located and were anticipating getting to shop in the store again. We also had a couple of the girls help us with suggestions as to what items we need to purchase for the store. Thanks to all our sponsors who make this store a reality for the kids at Hope Orphanage!

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