Preventing Human Trafficking, Saving Lives

Why It is Important to Talk About Friendships

May 9, 2019

A coupleof months ago, Allies’volunteersvisitedanorphanageinPerlinawith the goal of discussing friendship.Volunteers Katerina andVictoriyaexplained what a real friend is, what can harm friendships, and kind of friend is appreciated. They also taught them how they can be a good friend and what a real and healthy friendship looks like.

It may sound surprising that children are taught about good friendships, but this is important for children in orphanages because sometimes they miss out on the opportunity to connect with other children in a carefree manner as most children do.Friendships are important in mental, physical, emotional, and social development. They helpchildren to learn how to read social cues andpromotehealthy interactions.Learning how to build healthy friendships inyouthallows themdevelop healthy relationships as adults.

Encouraging Kids to Dream Big

April 20, 2019

One of the first questions adults often ask children is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Then we receive a host of answers: doctor, fire fighter, singer, teacher, mother, magician. Dreaming about our future is a naturalpart of childhoodfor most of us,but for many children who grow up in an orphanage, it is an exercise that must be done deliberately.

Allies’ volunteers recently helped the children to think about their dreams. “We brought white posters where we asked them todraw and listwhat their dreams are, what future they dream about, who they would like to be, what they might want to buy, and where they want to study,” a volunteer reported.

Former Orphanage Member Gives Back With Allies

April 15, 2019

Over the holidays, the children of Shovgenovskiy orphanage were invited to the Music Theater Nalmes’ New Year performance of Thumbelina. All 30 children were treated as special guests which included the musical’s characters greeting them while in costume.

On Dreams, Hopes, and Seeing It Become Reality

March 21, 2019

Visiting children at the orphanage can be challenging sometimes because some children do not like to open up. A game of questions thankfully helped Allies volunteers break the ice and earn the children’s trust. “What is your dream? And where do you want to go?”asked the Allies volunteer. They have discoveredthe children are not afraid to dream—in fact they have many dreams! “One girl named Masha is dreaming to go visit volunteers in their city. For us it seems to be very easy, we just get into the bus and go to visit,” says an Allies volunteer. But for the children at the orphanage, there are many every day things that might not be as easy to do. Thankfully, volunteer visitsat the orphanage always infusejoy and hope in the children. “They share with us what they would like to hear and know from us, and what things they would like to do,” the volunteer reported. “As we found out, they love to sing. When you sing, you forget about everything,” the volunteer said. So the volunteers continue to conduct activities and games that help the children grow intellectually and emotionally as well as lighting up the children’s hearts.“I am glad to help the children. They are happy and friendly. I like to spend time with them.” The volunteers also learned during this recent visit that the children wanted to know more about God and how to communicate with Him. “It brings usjoy to hear about that because they were not interested in that before.” Apart from teaching thechildren, it also helps the children open upwhen the volunteers themselves are vulnerable towards them. “We tell them about our life, our difficulties. We say that every person has hard times in his life and it is important to go through trials without losing hope.” An interesting thing happened recently—while atech-savvy volunteerwas helping to fix a computer at the orphanage, a girl named Juliyawas showing around a picture of her dad, who she had never met.ThisvolunteersawJuliya’s dadand recognized him. The volunteer took action, and just recently, Juliya met her father for the first time. He did not even know about her. Perhaps it was one of Juliya’s dreams to meet her dad, and thanks to Allies, she was able to do so.Nurturing dreams and building hope is important in children because it gives them purpose and goals. Thanks to Allies partners and volunteers, some of theseimportantchildren can see their dream—big or small—become reality today. read more >

How You Can Help?

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Come to our “packing parties” to prepare boxes of
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Eastern Europe.

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Donate new hygene items, school supplies, craft kits, new or gently used clothing, toys, games, and other items for the kids.

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Spread the word to your friends and colleagues. Or help us with our corporate sponsorship program by letting your employer know about Allies.

Why It is Important to Talk About Friendships

Encouraging Kids to Dream Big

Former Orphanage Member Gives Back With Allies

On Dreams, Hopes, and Seeing It Become Reality

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