Yesterday unbeknowest to me I came across a sibling group that took my breath away. I had clicked on something a family friend had posted on Facebook about an orphan boy with Marfan syndrome. After clicking on there I came across an organization Reeces Rainbow. They specialize in placing available for adoption orphan children with Down Syndrome and other special needs in families. After clicking around I came across a blog post a woman who has adopted wrote. She screams from her blog for children who are from her sons old orphanage who need homes. She yells and fundraisers and brings awareness to the least of these. It was there my eyes met his. His "fake" name is Samuel as I learned they use "fake" names to protect the children's identities and information. What I went on to read broke my heart into pieces.
(Samuels mental institution where he lives - photo via http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/)
One little boy far away in Ukraine was in a car accident with his parents. His parents both died. He was left unable to use his legs from the very same accident. When the accident occurred it did not say. What it did say I met with horror. This same little boy also had a sister who on this same day they both became orphans. They entered the Ukraine system where foster care is near nonexistent and orphanages still exist filled to the brim with children. These two were split up due to the younger boy born in April 2006 being placed in an all boys/men mental asylum because of his physical disability. In Ukraine physical disabilities are viewed to be as severe and equal to mental disabilities. These children are casted off into these institutions given very little care, no education, no therapy, and no contact with the outside world. Many are bedridden and stay in beds all day. Luckily this little guy has been grouped in the highest functioning group therefore he gets to partake in programs that missionaries come and put on. His sister who is HIV+ was then placed in a normal typical orphanage. Two children who not only lost their both their parents, lost each other, and one lost the use of his legs. I could not imagine losing everything including ones ability to use their legs all because of one horrific accident.
(Sitting on a caretakers lap during a program by humanitarian missionaries, you can see his tiny wheelchair next to them)
This same little boy that has no cognitive delays or problems is now in a wheelchair at this big orphanage in Ukraine with hundreds of other lost boys between the ages of 5-18 where he will remain until 18 then be transferred to an adult asylum. From what I read he was normal developing and talking but from being in the institution he is now losing his words. His body is going into survival mode as all he hears day in and out is the moaning of groaning of the other boys around him with extensive medical problems. If this had happened here not only would these children likely already be in a forever family, he would likely have surgery or therapy and the chance of walking or at least the chance to receive an education and opportunities. Now he sits in an asylum far away in Ukraine in a tiny little town wasting away and losing the ability to survive and thrive. Little is known about his sister who is in a different part of the region other than a tiny grainy picture and her month and year of August 2004. An 8 year old and little 6 year old in desperate need of a family! They are of a Roma background which makes them the minority in Ukraine. Roma people and children are often mistreated and casted to the side as there is a very racist view in Europe of Roma people. So not only are their ages a huge strike against them, their race, as well as her HIV+ status and his wheelchair bound status. It looks grim their future, but I know somewhere out there someone will see these children as their own. Their story is so heartbreaking, yet I hope there story will not stop there and some day will glorify Him and show how anything is possible.
(Samuel the little guy in red sitting with all the other boys)
Not only did this woman's words resonate in my heart, but they pushed me to reach out and try to do more. You can read her words, the same words I happened to stumble upon and read that shattered my heart into a million pieces http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2012/11/for-this-child.html She has been praying for this child hoping to save him from what her son once lived through. You can look at the rest of her blog and see how her son has since thrived since he was once a Lost Boy. Her words are so powerful and you can read what she has specifically written about the Lost Boys here http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/search/label/Lost%20Boys
Why I came across these children's story is beyond me. I couldn't help but wonder if for one reason or another I was meant to stumble across them for some greater reason. One thing is for sure is that they now will be added to my prayers. I have not been able to get them out of my mind so I felt the need to blog and reach out in case someone who may read this may know someone or they themselves may open their hearts and homes to these children. The least that can be done is we can each pitch in what we can to these children's grant fund set up to receive tax-deductible donations to lighten the financial burden for a family who may adopt them. I know we will be throwing in what we can in hopes it will help find their forever family. Donations can be made here on their page http://reecesrainbow.org/50293/samuel-sara
Upon doing further research I found that no family has ever in this organizations history not been able to complete their adoption due to financial problems. Many middle class working normal families are stepping up to take in the least of these like we are called to in the gospel. It takes a giant leap of faith and a lot of fundraising to bring children like these home but I know from seeing others who have done it that it would so be worth it to spare these two. If you look on the Reeces Rainbow website you can read other families who have committed to specific children that are in different stages of their adoptions as well as completed adoptions and read their stories and follow their blogs. It is unbelievable the changes these children undergo once they are home and being loved, being cared for, getting proper nutrition and vitamins, and receiving the proper therapies they need.
(Sitting on a caretakers lap on the far left such a tiny little guy just wanting to be held)
Ukraine Adoption Requirements (via Reeces Rainbow):
If you or someone you know may be interested in these two children follow the links above and contact Reeces Rainbow for more information.
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