The Meaning of Christmas

“It made us think of what we need to do in order to change. After talking about this last year and what we did then, the volunteers set up a craft for the children to do, to make frames with pictures from all of the visits from 2016.

Evgeniya said the children could barely contain their excitement as they found themselves in the pictures from the previous year. Supplies bought by volunteers Karla and Sue were also used in the Christmas craft project.

“We thank them for those supplies!” Evgeniya said. “Teachers and our director were very interested in the photos. Our volunteer, Olga, also had treats and gifts to give out from AIYD.”

A local volunteer, Irina, said the experience brought forth a lot of emotions.

“I like to participate in things that help these children,” she said. “You have mixed feelings for them. You feel compassion for them that they are in such a difficult life situation, but you also have joy from spending time with them and bringing them the joy of the holiday.”

Emir, a 15-year old at the orphanage said the visits and events from AIYD and the other volunteers has made a hard time easier.

“I’ve been here for about three months,” he said. “It’s been an unpleasant situation for my brother and I, but the volunteers have made it easier to adapt to new conditions and look for new opportunities in life.”

 

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