Orphanage at Hotyn

On Saturday morning we joined the “Orphanage Young Life Team” for their weekly visit to an orphanage.  They routinely visit several in town, but today we drove about an hour to an orphanage in Hotyn they have not visited in the past. 

 

We followed this car for a while, that is a huge pig in the trunk.  The car was really struggling to get down the road.

This was a sign for a restaurant.  Kinda sums it up.

Orphanages are found throughout the Former Soviet Union.  They house not only kids without parents, but kids who’s families are unable to adequately take care of them due to drugs, alcohol or prison.  The Orphanage at Hotyn has about 140 kids in it ranging from around 5 years old to teenagers.  The team entertained/played with the kids all morning.  Lots of games, skits, songs, balloons, shaving cream and fun! 

 

One of the Young Life leaders with two boys that needed a hug

Greg with two littlie buddies playing Simon Says, the one on the right lost, she couldn’t stop giggling!

Their shaving cream filled balloon is almost ready to burst!

A nice spiritual message at the end and then prayer.  Kids loved it and were very involved and impacted by the whole morning. After it was over; each got a gift of 2 bananas, a toothbrush and a piece of candy(!), then lots of tearful goodbyes.

This little gal was hard to say goodbye to.