Children who grow up in the orphanage often have difficulty visualizing what they want or need in life. Their ability to conceive and determine short-term and long-term desires or goals is often hampered. Recently our mentors visited an orphanage in Omsk and the session was focused on visualizing and mapping out kids' desires. The kids, together with mentors, created individual wish cards. They wrote, drew and pasted magazine clippings on large white sheets. The kids focused mostly on traveling and exotic animals. The girls were interested in beauty - they cut out pictures with clothes, cosmetics, jewelry. Mentors helped the children in every possible way.

 

Everyone exchanged their plans and goals. The discussion of the cards was lively and vivid. After the creative work was done, a tea party took place, the guys were treated to delicious pies. Everyone was happy! The guys took their wish cards and thanked the mentors for spending time together!

 

Ilya is a mentor who has visited orphanages several times already. He has a wonderful sense of humor and is always helpful in reducing any tensions between the kids. He is also a very sportive, a professional swimmer, and he organizes games with the kids. Daniil is normally a good and friendly boy in his early teens, always ready to get engaged in activities. He has a sister Veronica. During the visit, Daniil bit a mentor in the shoulder! This behavior is most likely due to the fact that Daniil simply did not know how to express his emotions and feelings. Often during these interactions, he would hug the mentors or take them by the hand, but since there are a lot of children and everyone wanted attention, the mentors could not always devote time to Daniil. Therefore, the boy decided to attract attention to himself and manifest feelings that he had been trying to reserve. However, later he apologized and changed his tone.

 

Children like Daniil are the reason Allies serves in the orphanage. These children desperately seek attention and a caring gesture. Our hearts long to help children like Daniil understand they are seen, loved and important. We're so thankful to be part of this important mission.