A letter to an Orphanage Director
The Hosting Program is entering it’s last few weeks when families and Russian orphans from Saint Petersburg along with orphans from Ukraine and Latvia are matched.
In the list of participants Russia is traditionally the most difficult in terms of permission from directors and first one to close out the list for hosting as it takes the longest to collect papers.
Among other struggles was the decision of one o the directors not to take part in the program as there was another case in US where an adopted child was killed.
Below are several quotes from the letter from a hosting family who was about to host a child from that orphanage.
“We understand your concern over the horrific tragedy involving an adopted Russian child resulting from an American individual.
We are as appalled as anyone over this situation, however, as with any situation, we ask that you not punish all individuals based on the act of one. We appreciate and respect your decision, however we beg you to reconsider and send not only Anya, but the other children as well.”
We assure you that we are respectable, upstanding, loving individuals, who are parents of ten year old twin boys. We promise to care for Anya , keep her safe, a provide her memorable experiences.
We have completed our home study, have character references, and have always dreamed of helping and providing an opportunity for a child in need. We feel Anya is this child.
We want to comfort her fears, provide her with confidence, an education, a home, a family atmosphere, and joy and happiness.
Our son recently asked us while he was looking at Anya’s picture, “can you love someone without meeting them?” We told him “yes” as we feel we have all fallen for this little girl and are planning our summer with her in mind.
Then, please reconsider your decision and send Anya and these children for the amazing summer hosting program New Horizons for Children provides. Please trust that they will be cared for and loved.”
The hosting program continues it’s work in 5 other orphanages in Saint Petersburg. There are 2 more weeks to match families and children before the list is closed.
If you’d like to host a child, contact New Horizons for Children www.newhorizonsforchildren.org.
Related posts:
- Update: Hosting, Short-term teams, Humanitarian Aid
- Christmas in America
- Summer program
- …”The Rest of the Story”
Filed in: Hosting, New Horizons, News, Orphans