Well we had an amazing trip to Ukraine. My good friend Marya and I left a week ago for yet another fast filled whirlwind trip through the country.
It started out not so hot. I had 5 suitcases full of donations and gift for the kids and orphanages and two of those were carry ons. Well KLM got us because they made us weigh our "purses" with our carry ons. It made them go over "carry on" weight so we had to check them even though they were all of 13 lbs. They then sent us down to a cashier and told us to ask her all the questions, that she didn't know how to handle it. Well down at the cashier they took our carry ons as our check in, then first two bags at $100 then the third bag......$285...are you kidding me. Total $485 for our luggage, despite the fact that they were full of donations for orphanage. Needless to say, we will never us KLM again. Delta checked a bunch of extra bags for our orphans at summer hosting and didn't charge us a dime. When we tried to fight it the cashier told us she didn't know and that she was just doing what the check in lady told her to do on the paperwork. So they just pointed the finger at each other. After all that drama we find out they didn't even get our seats together so we had a 10 hour flight at different parts of the airplane. I was not a happy camper! Ugh!
When we arrived, our wonderful hosting partners from Viant International Charity, Ilona Khryapina and Elena Iashchyk welcomed us at the airport. We had a wonderful dinner by the river in Kiev and talked the night away. We were joined by Ilona's wonderful husband who I was thrilled and honored to finally meet. He graciously put us up in his corporate apartment so we felt very spoiled.
The next morning all four of us girls set off to our first orphanage. After lots of driving and our one stop for yummy Ukraine coffee and pastries at one of the gas stations, we finally arrived at our destination. The town was beautiful but as always, the orphanage was not easy to find. Thank you GPS and cell phones.
We were welcomed by the director and as the routine goes, went straight in his office for the intimidating interview. We supplied the proper documents needed before he is allowed to talk to us. He started out by asking us the age range we wanted as he held the sacred piece of paper holding the names of all the children allowed to come for hosting. Before we got there he promised us 10 children.
After many trips to Ukraine this seems to be the same routine at every orphanage. He asked us why we would not take 17 year old children and explained to us about a group of boys he had, one in particular was a boy who was always overlooked for hosting while he watched all his friends go for holidays to Italy and the US for the last 8 years. It was obvious that he had a lot of compassion for his children, especially this boy. He had a lot of amazing things to say about him. He further explained to us that the boy was always rejected by host companies because he had three fingers on one hand. I, being extremely proud of the fact that we take children with disabilities, said of course we would take him. Marya and I both instantly could not wait to meet this boy.
The director could not believe we agreed to take him and the other older children who have aged out of other host programs. He handed Ilona his list of children and told us to take as many and whoever else we wished to take. Of course we want to help ALL OF THEM. He asked us where we have been all these years :). He then read us an email from the previous host company he used saying they were not going to do hosting so to give us their kids. The director was such a wonderful man and this was such a refreshing change from many of our other "first" interviews. Even though we could not understand what he was saying, both Marya and I just loved him. He laughed a lot and Ilona translated all the wonderful things he said about his kids.
He then sent us off to have lunch at a wonderful restaurant while the kids finished school and he gathered them all to meet us. When we got back from our amazing meal we were welcomed into a room of over 35 children. The director got up and introduced us as he smiled and joked. He was just adorable. We then got to meet the children and he was right, they were all just beautiful and perfect. Especially the boy he talked so much about. He made eye contact with us right away and didn't let it go. I have seen this before in the children who really long to be selected. This boy was very special to all of us. He was precious. All of them were precious and we are just overwhelmed and excited at this point.
The director them met us again in his office to finish up paperwork then walked us to our car. This was an amazing place and we are so blessed to be able to help these kids come to America. Now my job is to not let any of them down!
The next morning we were greeted at our apartment by Ilona and she introduced us to our new driver, Oleg. Marya and I were completely suffering from lack of sleep and jet lag and poor Oleg got the best of our giggles and delirium....and Marya's need for coffee. Luckily he didn't think we were too out of our minds. He is a very sweet and humble man that we were so lucky to meet. He also took us to McDonald's for coffee before we got to the airport ;).
This is a nice time to explain that Marya and I were so tired that every flight and just about everything we did made us crack up hysterically. In Ukraine not many people smile at each other, let alone laugh out loud in public so of course the people looked at us like we were crazy. I think it was very obvious we were Americans and we had lots of stares coming our way. :)
We were then met at the next airport by our stunning driver and translator who would take care of us the next couple days. She is young and full of energy and Marya and I had met our match. She was great and we had many laughs, great meals, and long deep conversations during our long drives. She kept saying "you ladies are so funny". I think this made us laugh even more. We had a blast with her. She was very protective of us and also amazing with the kids. She took very good care of us.
We met many more beautiful children, did our humanitarian visits and gave donations, and had more meetings with directors. Some meetings starting very intense but always ended in hand shakes, smiles, and hugs. Just the way it is and I am so use to it now. Earning trust is first and foremost and if they don't like you or what you have to say, they will send you packing. We met some amazing and sweet orphanage personnel and knew all these kids we were getting were well cared for and loved. We really see it when the kids themselves tell us how much they love their directors and fly into their arms when they walk in the room. It's so awesome to know these beautiful children have something good in their lives. You can also see it in all the smiles we have in our photos.
Then came our last orphanage of the trip. It was of course the one with the boy we hosted for a week last summer, Bogdon. If you don't know about him read a few of my older blogs. He and I are very bonded and he was so happy to see us. After our interviews we went to lunch and came back to watch him in a school play. We then headed out to dinner with him and another girl we had in our last summer hosting, Liza. Both kids are teens and getting ready to age out. Bogdon had to make sure to let me know that usually he does more in all the school plays and he was sorry he just did narrating this time. He is just so cute. As if I was disappointed in him, geezo.
It was really nice to spend the time with Bogdon and we had a nice heart to heart with the translator. I learned so much more about him and we were so much more impressed by him....if that was even possible. He is 1 in a million. He doesn't get in trouble and at the top of his school with grades and studies. He also told me a lot about his summer hosting trip and I learned how deep he is and how observent and just so much more amazing than I could even imagine. I would adopt this child in a second. He is the type of child who will not only bless a family, but I really believe improve a family. He is a blessing to this world and anyone he meets. We had a wonderful dinner and time and then had to take him home. I had to do my cry on the way home while he slept because I didn't want to have a hard goodbye again. I did tell him I cried the whole day after he left and he was sad and said he was so sorry. Just the sweetest kid. He also told me he was for sure 100% ready to be adopted and his brother was 100% supportive and proud of him :). I asked him why and he said he wants a family and a good life. I also asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said he just wanted the attention of a family. He said he has learned that gifts are not what's important. Hmmmmm, just fills my heart with joy like a proud Mama. I told him I had to find him a family who lived close to me so I could help raise him :).
We then stayed in a hotel only to have me sick as a dog. The next couple days were just very hard. We went back to Ilona's after being greeted at the airport by our driver, Oleg. He is so cute...he says "sorry to be late, I have a little surprize for you" as he holds up his fingers to show us little. He had coffee and muffins for us. I guess Marya's demands for coffee last time made a lasting impression. :) Just a wonderful man!
At Ilona's I just curled up in a ball on her couch suffering while Marya raided her refrigator. I was so jealous, everything looked so yummy and Marya seemed to be enjoying her homemade Ukrainian food. LUCKY! I was sure a fever was coming on. I could hardly move but finally had to get up and repack all the luggage I had so I didn't get charges for empty suitcases since all my donations where now gone.
Finally Igor, the expert and one we trust to refer adoptions to, came to pick us up. He is a super sweet and quiet man. We had a nice talk with him as he drove us to the hotel airport. We had a quick bite to eat and I had to rush back to bed. 4pm I was out for the night. Early flight back to the states 12 hours later.
Fast and Furious but so worth it. I was so lucky and thankful to have Marya with me and of course to have Ilona and all her friends and associates take good care of us. She is amazing and has found us the best kids. All of them are perfect. I am so excited to work with my volunteers and advocates to find them all host families. Not one of them am I worried about. Good orphanges, great directors, great kids. Very successful and meaningful trip!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
We have our photo listing.
We are excited to announce that we now have our photo list for winter hosting. I plan to travel to Ukraine the first week of October and will be adding even more children. Please visit our website at www.HeartForHosting.org to register for the link.
The children we have available are girls and boys with ages ranging from 6 to 16. We are excited to announce that we have worked hard to now include children with special needs including Cerebral Palsy, HIV, Hearing Impaired, and FAS.
We fly children into multiple areas depending on how many children get hosted. We now have 5 coordinators who are each in charge of multiple states. Our directors and coordinator visit Ukraine multiple times a year to meet children and build relationships with the orphanages that we work with
The children we have available are girls and boys with ages ranging from 6 to 16. We are excited to announce that we have worked hard to now include children with special needs including Cerebral Palsy, HIV, Hearing Impaired, and FAS.
We fly children into multiple areas depending on how many children get hosted. We now have 5 coordinators who are each in charge of multiple states. Our directors and coordinator visit Ukraine multiple times a year to meet children and build relationships with the orphanages that we work with
We are a hosting company that started with the idea of doing a small West Coast hosting program because we didn't have many options and most programs only flew children to the East Coast. We quickly grew from 7 orphans visiting the West Coast to 61 orphans flying all over the US last summer. We are growing and will have over 100 orphans to choose from for winter hosting.
All of the work we do is done by volunteers who have a heart for Ukraine Orphans. Grants for children help us have a successful program and give us the ability to bring children that would otherwise have no chance. Hosting changes the lives of the orphans who get selected as well as the sponsors and host families. It is an amazing program and we are lucky to have an amazing group of people in the US ad Ukraine that we work with.
Please visit our website to learn more about dates and prices. www.HeartForHosting.org
Ginger Guglielmo, Director of Hosting Program and contact for
(CA, AZ, NM, NV, UT, CO, TX, OK)
Jo Hershon, Assistant Director of Hosting Program and contact for (WA, ID, OR, WY, & MT)
Ibby Hopper, East Coast Coordinator and contact for
(KY, AR, MS, WV,OH, LA, KS)
Melaney Sems contact for
(GA, SC, NC, FL, AL, & TN)
Corbett Burick contact for
(IL, IA, MI, WI, ND, SD, NE MO)
Brooke Newsome contact for
(RI, NY, NJ, MD, DE, CT, MA, NH, PA, VA, VT, ME)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Meet Bogdon,
I love how Bogdon wants to be well
dressed and how school is so important to him. He has a lot of ambition and he
is proud of the fact that he is good at school and sports. He is a very good
role model. He is at the top of his class and even Ilona, my facilitator in
Ukraine, confirmed that.
I was trying very hard to get him to
just be a kid. You can see the little kid come out once in a while but not
enough...like he loves to ride a bike fast then skid out....lol. He does go
hard core when it comes to thrill seeking. He also will never dive into the
pool the same way twice. He has to sit and think for a second on how he will
dive or jump in different or better than the time before.
He is very much a sharp dresser and
wants to look and smell good. He even asked me for an iron so he could iron his
shirts. :) I did it for him. I have a 22
y/o so it was just like having another teen son here. Loved it and didn't realize
how much I miss it!
Taking him shopping was priceless. He
was very aware of "big money" and never asked for expensive things
and he would put together outfits with ease. He was so proud of how he looked
and was so thankful. He thanked me over and over again for everything. Just a
humble child. He asked to be taken everywhere with me so he could just see
America and "help me".
The before departure night I took them to the hotel and they had their own room. I
went to their room at 10pm and asked him to come to the bank with me because it
was late and I didn't want to go to the ATM by myself in San Francisco. Vova
jumped up and said "me me me". Just like a little kid. It was
precious. I said "of course you too". You could just feel from them
that being asked to be a help and my "security" was an honor to them
both. Again, a priceless moment that is hard to describe. Had to be there and
know these great boys.
Bogdon did bond with me fast and told me
about his past. I asked him if he wanted to be adopted
and he said he was confused by it and that he would have to consult with his
brother. I asked if his brother would fight it if he wanted to be adopted and
he said "no, never" as he made a dirty look on his face and shook his
head and waved his arms NO. 
In just the short few days we had him,
he got closer and closer to us and more comfortable ever day. He puts on a huge
"tough guy" exterior but I was able to break through that. He is
naturally confident but he really let his wall down here. He really liked when
the kids went to bed and we got to sit on google translate and talk at night.
He just NEEDED someone to talk to who would really sit and listen.
When it was time to say goodbye at the airport, this is when
I really saw how much he bonded to me. When I hugged him he didn't want to let
go and he showed instant concern when that made me start crying. Even though we
always talked about him coming back to another family, he asked me right then
and there if he could come back to us for Christmas. Ugh, so hard. He then
walked through security and stared back at me with such a sad face while he
waved every few seconds. He just looked so concerned which made me cry even
more. He even got on his tippy toes to do a final wave to me over the security
scanner. Even Vova kept looking at him and then at me like he was so surprised
by how Bogdon was acting. I cried to whole day. This child really touched my
heart. I still can't even look at his pictures. I feel worse than I did when my
oldest son moved out. I think it is because he couldn't wait to get out...lol.
I just want so much better for this young man and his future.
He will be an amazing son, brother,
student, and friend. There is so much to this child. It will just take the
perfect family to let him shine. He is a golden boy and a gift from God. I feel
so blessed that he was a part of our lives, even if it was just for a week. I
miss him terribly.
My only regret is that my husband wasn't
able to spend enough time with him to see who he really is. Between work and
still grieving over the recent loss of his mother, it was hard for him to spend
a lot of extra time with Bogdon . If there is anything I know about this boy, a
man like my husband, who shares so many of the same qualities as Bogdon, would
have completed his security about being adopted by an American family. 
He is naturally funny and good natured.
Smiles and laughs all the time. Easy to please, humble, sweet, loving, and
caring. Open to learning, fair, and focused. He is also not afraid to help with
little children and softy corrects them and/or redirects bad behavior.
He has two families who will host him at
Christmas but I really need to find him a forever family. I will see him next month when I visit his orphanage for our
Winter Host Program. My hopes are to find families who have it in their hearts
to adopt him. The perfect family will be paper ready to go back and adopt after
winter hosting because he ages out soon after and a family will not have time
to prepare if they are not ready by the time he comes. I want to bring family
information with me to show him that I have been thinking of him and following
through with my promise.
He is my bud and I am on a mission to help him have an amazing
future.”
Ginger Guglielmo
408-710-8902 Thursday, May 3, 2012
Auction Items Online for the Event this Weekend!
As many of you know, we are having our big fundraiser this Saturday that will benefit our host program, Project Ladyzhyn, and also a portion of the proceeds will go to the Sierra LaMar fund. It is going to be an amazing Cinco de Mayo party at the winery.
And for those that can't attend, we have set up an online auction that ties to the event http://www.biddingforgood.com/Guglielmoshope so that you can still be a part of all the fun supporting orphans! Just go on the site and bid for whatever you like. If you win, we will contact you next week. You don't have to be present to bid OR to win! I will be also adding will be adding more items over the next 24 hours. We already have amazing trips, sporting events, sports memorabilia, and so much more available to bid on!
We will also keep adding throughout the year to continue to raise money for our host program. This will be a good way for families to raise money for their own hosting. They can find items to auction and the proceeds from the win will go toward their hosting. If you would like to donate an item for them to auction, please let me know. So what are you waiting for?...Bid Now!
Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something at the auction. Every bid helps support our cause. The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please refer your friends, and share the link on FB, twitter, via e-mail, etc, and encourage them to participate so they don't miss a single moment of the fun and excitement!
Tickets on sale at www.guglielmoshope.eventbrite.com.
We will also keep adding throughout the year to continue to raise money for our host program. This will be a good way for families to raise money for their own hosting. They can find items to auction and the proceeds from the win will go toward their hosting. If you would like to donate an item for them to auction, please let me know. So what are you waiting for?...Bid Now!
Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something at the auction. Every bid helps support our cause. The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please refer your friends, and share the link on FB, twitter, via e-mail, etc, and encourage them to participate so they don't miss a single moment of the fun and excitement!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Project Ladyzhyn Meeting Pavel
We arrived in Ladyzhyn and met our guide, Pavel. He is an official in a different region of Ukraine. I was told Pavel found this orphanage through personal reasons. Ilona from Viant set up the meeting because I have been trying to start a hosting program for children with disabilities and Pavel is connected to these orphanages. She informed me that he is also doing lots of changes and may be looking for some type of help with the orphanages. Seems like a good fit for her to bring us together. Win Win. Her hopes are that we can help each other.
I am introduced to as soon as we get out of the car from a three hour drive. He asks if we want to get cleaned up and have dinner or go straight to the orphanage. The problem is the director is no longer there for the day so we all decide to wait until the next morning. Pavel takes us to our rooms and we all decide to meet in ½ hour for dinner. Pavel does not speak English and I do not speak Russian so Ilona has arranged for Roman to come with us on this trip to be our translator.
We are at a really nice hotel on a river. The owner must be a hunter because the restaurant is full of animals that have met with a hunter’s rifle and taxidermist. When I enter the room they were all there and Pavel immediately shows what a gentleman he is by standing up as I approach the table and pull out my chair. This trait shows itself throughout our visit.
We sit down and start what ends up being a 5 hour dinner meeting. First Pavel asks me what my intentions are and I tell him about our hosting program and our connections with summer camps for children with disabilities and the benefits. He asks many questions and seems to think it’s an amazing idea. He also hears about the current children we host and the experiences they have.
He then starts to describe the children and conditions we are about to see tomorrow. I am realizing he didn’t want to just take me to the orphanage. He wanted to know more about me and my intentions and see if this could be a good relationship moving forward. He then pulls out his Ipad and show photos of the children and things he has done at the orphanage we are about to visit.
I am starting to love this man. I am watching his personality and passion unfold before my eyes. I first notice he is a deeply religious man, he wouldn’t even eat meat for dinner because he is honoring his religious belief of “Lent”. He would later show more of his devotion to God that I will show thorough this story.
As I watched him describe each photo and I could feel his pain as he looked at the kids. He would all of a sudden stop for a few minutes, wrap his arms around his stomach like he was sick, rock and gentle shake his head. He did this a few times showing his deep passion for these kids and the changes he was making. This was not act and it was almost like he would go into a trance and forget we were even there. Maybe he was praying. I don’t know but it was deep meditation whether he knew it or not.
He also showed me all the things he has done to the orphanage with his own money. He has gone to local business men for financial help to change the conditions for these kids. He is an amazing person but he needs much more help and he is tapping out.
He has put two new roofs on two buildings, started changing the doors into rooms, had volunteers come in and paint happy scenes on the walls, cleaned up the grounds, purchased rehabilitation equipment, and built two rehab rooms, one in each building, and hired a therapist to work with the children, most of this out of his own pocket.
When I asked him if he had a list of things that still needed to be done and purchased he said of course and showed me the chairs he has bought for the kids that are $1200 US each. Based on the photos it looks like he has made a huge difference for the children. When you here about my visit the next day you will realize there is a lot more need than what I can imagine.
The meeting was amazing and we toast to a relationship that looks like it’s a good fit. When we click glasses he says in Russian and he looks me in the eyes “It always starts with a woman”. It was very touching to hear Roman translate that. Like I said, Pavel is a complete gentleman.
I can tell you at this point many questions are running through my head and I am genuinely afraid of what I am about to experience. It’s fear of the unknown and how it will affect me to see people suffering first hand, not just on TV. And for all of you who know me, children suffering is very hard for me and I want to help all of them. Even during hosting, I beg my husband to host the rest of all the kids I have not found families for.
People are not normally allowed in these institutions and it is something I never imagined myself to ever witness fist hand, especially at this level. But the strength God gave me to get this far this fast is by far stronger than my fear of the unknown.
For those of you who are wondering what my experience is with children with disabilities, I can tell you now I have none. Do I know what I am doing? No. Why here and now? I have no idea. Am I good at building teams and raising awareness? Yes. All I know is God brought me to this place with Pavel through Ilona and my relationship with Viant. As I write about this experience that has touched my heart I can tell you, it was meant to be for some reason. Why Ukraine, why this orphanage? Like my husband tells me with hosting, one at a time Ginger, one at a time. This is just the start of something new for us and this is the first one. It will not end here.
To Be continued……
I am introduced to as soon as we get out of the car from a three hour drive. He asks if we want to get cleaned up and have dinner or go straight to the orphanage. The problem is the director is no longer there for the day so we all decide to wait until the next morning. Pavel takes us to our rooms and we all decide to meet in ½ hour for dinner. Pavel does not speak English and I do not speak Russian so Ilona has arranged for Roman to come with us on this trip to be our translator.
We are at a really nice hotel on a river. The owner must be a hunter because the restaurant is full of animals that have met with a hunter’s rifle and taxidermist. When I enter the room they were all there and Pavel immediately shows what a gentleman he is by standing up as I approach the table and pull out my chair. This trait shows itself throughout our visit.
We sit down and start what ends up being a 5 hour dinner meeting. First Pavel asks me what my intentions are and I tell him about our hosting program and our connections with summer camps for children with disabilities and the benefits. He asks many questions and seems to think it’s an amazing idea. He also hears about the current children we host and the experiences they have.
He then starts to describe the children and conditions we are about to see tomorrow. I am realizing he didn’t want to just take me to the orphanage. He wanted to know more about me and my intentions and see if this could be a good relationship moving forward. He then pulls out his Ipad and show photos of the children and things he has done at the orphanage we are about to visit.
I am starting to love this man. I am watching his personality and passion unfold before my eyes. I first notice he is a deeply religious man, he wouldn’t even eat meat for dinner because he is honoring his religious belief of “Lent”. He would later show more of his devotion to God that I will show thorough this story.
As I watched him describe each photo and I could feel his pain as he looked at the kids. He would all of a sudden stop for a few minutes, wrap his arms around his stomach like he was sick, rock and gentle shake his head. He did this a few times showing his deep passion for these kids and the changes he was making. This was not act and it was almost like he would go into a trance and forget we were even there. Maybe he was praying. I don’t know but it was deep meditation whether he knew it or not.
He also showed me all the things he has done to the orphanage with his own money. He has gone to local business men for financial help to change the conditions for these kids. He is an amazing person but he needs much more help and he is tapping out.
He has put two new roofs on two buildings, started changing the doors into rooms, had volunteers come in and paint happy scenes on the walls, cleaned up the grounds, purchased rehabilitation equipment, and built two rehab rooms, one in each building, and hired a therapist to work with the children, most of this out of his own pocket.
When I asked him if he had a list of things that still needed to be done and purchased he said of course and showed me the chairs he has bought for the kids that are $1200 US each. Based on the photos it looks like he has made a huge difference for the children. When you here about my visit the next day you will realize there is a lot more need than what I can imagine.
The meeting was amazing and we toast to a relationship that looks like it’s a good fit. When we click glasses he says in Russian and he looks me in the eyes “It always starts with a woman”. It was very touching to hear Roman translate that. Like I said, Pavel is a complete gentleman.
I can tell you at this point many questions are running through my head and I am genuinely afraid of what I am about to experience. It’s fear of the unknown and how it will affect me to see people suffering first hand, not just on TV. And for all of you who know me, children suffering is very hard for me and I want to help all of them. Even during hosting, I beg my husband to host the rest of all the kids I have not found families for.
People are not normally allowed in these institutions and it is something I never imagined myself to ever witness fist hand, especially at this level. But the strength God gave me to get this far this fast is by far stronger than my fear of the unknown.
For those of you who are wondering what my experience is with children with disabilities, I can tell you now I have none. Do I know what I am doing? No. Why here and now? I have no idea. Am I good at building teams and raising awareness? Yes. All I know is God brought me to this place with Pavel through Ilona and my relationship with Viant. As I write about this experience that has touched my heart I can tell you, it was meant to be for some reason. Why Ukraine, why this orphanage? Like my husband tells me with hosting, one at a time Ginger, one at a time. This is just the start of something new for us and this is the first one. It will not end here.
To Be continued……
Friday, April 6, 2012
Project Ladyzhyn Preview
Under construction...
Basically in a nut shell,
Last week I visited a level 4 disabled (highest forms of disabilities) orphanage in Ukraine that is in desperate need of help. I know not too many years ago, America use to have similar institutions with children who were suffering because the world had locked them up and forgotten them.
Underfunding made conditions for proper care unattainable and disabilities became worse because of being untouched and unloved.
I originally went there searching for children we could bring to America for hosting and disabled camps. Once I got over being overwhelmed I soon realized we needed to bring the people, camps, and programs to them to help hundreds, not just one or two of them to us.
There is a Ukrainian man named Pavel who found this orphanage last December and is doing some amazing things with his own money. I was touched by his compassion and generosity and vowed to do everything I could to help him and these suffering children. I made him and them a promise to do all everything possible.
It will take exposure of the conditions and the help of many to make a difference for these children. We will be building a team of volunteers and search out the nation and world for people to go there are teach these caregivers and put together programs. Help is needed to work with the children and to get them out of their life long crib prisons.
We will also be doing lots of fundraising to help Pavel remodel a building to provide an actual place for the children to play instead of dark hallways and toy less hard floor bedrooms.
Over the next few days I will be blogging about my trip, the conditions, things Pavel has already done, and the needs. As well as building a Facebook and fundraiser page.
If this is something you are interested in following, please Like our FB page
http://www.facebook.com/GuglielmosHopeProjectLadyzhyn
as well as bookmark Guglielmo's Hope Blog page.
http://orphanhostprogram.blogspot.com/
I would love for you to join our journey to change lives!
Basically in a nut shell,
Last week I visited a level 4 disabled (highest forms of disabilities) orphanage in Ukraine that is in desperate need of help. I know not too many years ago, America use to have similar institutions with children who were suffering because the world had locked them up and forgotten them.
Underfunding made conditions for proper care unattainable and disabilities became worse because of being untouched and unloved.
I originally went there searching for children we could bring to America for hosting and disabled camps. Once I got over being overwhelmed I soon realized we needed to bring the people, camps, and programs to them to help hundreds, not just one or two of them to us.
There is a Ukrainian man named Pavel who found this orphanage last December and is doing some amazing things with his own money. I was touched by his compassion and generosity and vowed to do everything I could to help him and these suffering children. I made him and them a promise to do all everything possible.
It will take exposure of the conditions and the help of many to make a difference for these children. We will be building a team of volunteers and search out the nation and world for people to go there are teach these caregivers and put together programs. Help is needed to work with the children and to get them out of their life long crib prisons.
We will also be doing lots of fundraising to help Pavel remodel a building to provide an actual place for the children to play instead of dark hallways and toy less hard floor bedrooms.
Over the next few days I will be blogging about my trip, the conditions, things Pavel has already done, and the needs. As well as building a Facebook and fundraiser page.
If this is something you are interested in following, please Like our FB page
http://www.facebook.com/GuglielmosHopeProjectLadyzhyn
as well as bookmark Guglielmo's Hope Blog page.
http://orphanhostprogram.blogspot.com/
I would love for you to join our journey to change lives!
Trip to Ukraine Part 1
Well I just got back from an amazing whirlwind trip to Ukraine. Now that I am use to the flight it’s not that big-a- deal. Although my travel agent will be getting an ear full! He booked me an 8 hour layover in Munich on the way home. Thank God they had a couple spas at the airport. Just dread my hubby getting the bill for my facial, pedicure and massage. Oh well, not like I ever do that….eeek!
I come prepared for my flights now; get to watch a bunch of new releases on the plane and sleep…. All good!
When I exited the plane in Ukraine and walked down the metal stairs there was a woman with a sign with my name on it. She held a radio and was in a suit. Nothing like feeling like a celeb as I got into a private Mercedes as all the others coming off the plane squished into a bus. Thank you Ilona! I LOVE YOU!
I was then taken into a plush room where I had a private customs officer and waiting while they went to get my luggage out of baggage claim. When I go through my “private security” I was greeted by my wonderful Ukrainian family from Viant; Beautiful Ilona and my “big” little brother, Sergey .
Off we went to Ilona’s office where I hugged Elena her assistant and unboxed a bunch of gifts sent by families for their host children. I packed one large suitcase full of gifts and donations. Now I was able to put my own carry on bag into the big suitcase with lots of room to spear. Once we had our nice visit, Sergey and I were off for a long night of driving. Not long after we got in the car we were smack dab in the middle of traffic. No worries, nothing better than trying to talk when neither person can understand the other. No worries, it took about an 15 minutes for us to get use to each other’s charades.
We stopped to get gas after an hour in traffic, just out of Kiev. On the back side of the gas station was a little diner. It was very nice and decorated in old Ukraine village style. Serg spent 15 minutes trying to figure out what I wanted to eat only to have the waitress show up and point to the part of the menu in English. LOL . Good laugh! My favorite Borsh and “Bleen-chicky”, Ukrainian crapes. Oh and some chicken that was to die for. Ukrainian food is amazing for all of you wondering.
Off for a 5 hour drive. Yes I slept most the time. Serge is such a trooper. We did figure out a way to communicate and would laugh a lot. Especially when we saw a Porky Pine in the road and he seemed to find the name comical. I think I was delirious at this point because I suddenly found the name “Porky Pine” to be hysterical. Never really thought about it before until someone who didn’t speak our language thought I was joking when I said it. (Had to be there.) Later when we were with Roma, my translator, it was actually a “Hedgehog”. Sorry, still a funny name and we had another laugh.
He also at one point washed his windows. The car all of a sudden smelt like alcohol and he had me convinced the fluid in the wiper water was Vodka. He also gave me a bad time because I asked if the guys walking the streets in the middle of the night were taxi drivers. He motioned to me later pointing to some guys sitting on a curb with beer bottles saying “ya, taxi drivers”. Ok, I am in stiches with my delirium and his little brother teasing. I think it’s time for me to go back to sleep. Again, had to be there.
We arrive around midnight, (I think) at an amazing place where many families stay when they do their adoptions. It was an adorable white building in a back ally. The woman who ran the place was so sweet and the room was like a bridal suite with peach bedding and window coverings and a big double heart on the wall. Serge got my computer set up with internet and went off to bed. I of course cannot sleep and catch up with emails , call my hubby, and stress about falling asleep and not waking up in time for my little brother to come in and make me up to go without a shower.
I finally konk out only to wake up at 4 am by a call from my hubby so I shower, get ready, and continue to email.
I finally fall asleep again only to wake up to a knock and a guy walking into my room. I assume it’s Sergey doing his normal “get up we are leaving now ” greeting, but when I focus I see it is Roma (Roman). It was sooo good to see him. Roma is my translator and such a great guy. I love traveling with these two through Ukraine. Safe, fun, and interesting all in one. Roma is a book of knowledge and tells me history and stories of all the adoptions he has done over the 12 years doing them. He also fills me in about all the different regions and the adoption process in each one. All different! We had some time to catch up while Sergey got ready and off we went.
First stop another apartment that families can rent while they are adopting. Really really nice and by far the best place to stay I have seen in Ukraine. Rhonda, another California host mom, was there adopting her boys. We gave big hugs and I also had the pleasure of finally meeting Roma’s wife and baby girl who were also staying there with Rhonda. Both just beautiful! I had shopped for Rhonda’s boys because she found out she didn’t have good clothes and shoes to bring them home in and Ukraine turned out to be too expensive to buy these things.
We then all make our way to the orphanage. First we go up and meet O. the director. What a beautiful and amazing woman. She took us on a tour of the orphanage then brought children in to meet me to give the gifts I had brought from families. I had to search out the kids on our list to get photos and information. O. has this orphanage nicer than many US family homes. It is the Ritz of orphanages. She also is so amazing with the kids. She has a personal relationship with each one of them and knows everything about them. She talks to them like a mother talks to her children and she meets with them every week and rewards them for good studies. They all adore her and now so do I. Oh and I need to mention this is the orphanage where my little Vadym from last summer was from.
We had lunch with O. at one of Roma’s favorite restaurants in the town. It was a beautiful little bakery who donates pastries to the orphanage for the kids every week. On their birthdays the bakery also sends over cakes for the kids to celebrate. Again, amazing food and oh I forgot to mention, coffee in Ukraine is the best I have ever had.
The town was also very nice with lots of people and shops. Everyone dresses nice and it just feels very comfortable and safe. Of course everyone is beautiful and dresses nice. Leather, fur, and boots are the big fashion in Ukraine. Dark clothes are also very popular. Fashion jeans are also a must.
I had a nice bonding visit with O. and was very sad to say goodbye. Especially to my little man Slav. . I can’t wait to love him this summer! I was bummed I missed some of the kids but we will see them this summer.
Off to Ladyzhyn which was another 3 hour drive. That will be the next blog and the story is deep. Stay tuned. I am working on a huge project now because of this visit. I will write about it next.
I am very broken hearted I am in Ukraine and can’t see Lera. She is 18 ours from Kiev by train and it’s just not possible to see her. I did send her a huge bag of goodies through Ilona. I will be loving her soon enough. Can’t wait to see her
photos coming when I figure out how to add more.
I come prepared for my flights now; get to watch a bunch of new releases on the plane and sleep…. All good!
When I exited the plane in Ukraine and walked down the metal stairs there was a woman with a sign with my name on it. She held a radio and was in a suit. Nothing like feeling like a celeb as I got into a private Mercedes as all the others coming off the plane squished into a bus. Thank you Ilona! I LOVE YOU!
I was then taken into a plush room where I had a private customs officer and waiting while they went to get my luggage out of baggage claim. When I go through my “private security” I was greeted by my wonderful Ukrainian family from Viant; Beautiful Ilona and my “big” little brother, Sergey .
Off we went to Ilona’s office where I hugged Elena her assistant and unboxed a bunch of gifts sent by families for their host children. I packed one large suitcase full of gifts and donations. Now I was able to put my own carry on bag into the big suitcase with lots of room to spear. Once we had our nice visit, Sergey and I were off for a long night of driving. Not long after we got in the car we were smack dab in the middle of traffic. No worries, nothing better than trying to talk when neither person can understand the other. No worries, it took about an 15 minutes for us to get use to each other’s charades.
We stopped to get gas after an hour in traffic, just out of Kiev. On the back side of the gas station was a little diner. It was very nice and decorated in old Ukraine village style. Serg spent 15 minutes trying to figure out what I wanted to eat only to have the waitress show up and point to the part of the menu in English. LOL . Good laugh! My favorite Borsh and “Bleen-chicky”, Ukrainian crapes. Oh and some chicken that was to die for. Ukrainian food is amazing for all of you wondering.
Off for a 5 hour drive. Yes I slept most the time. Serge is such a trooper. We did figure out a way to communicate and would laugh a lot. Especially when we saw a Porky Pine in the road and he seemed to find the name comical. I think I was delirious at this point because I suddenly found the name “Porky Pine” to be hysterical. Never really thought about it before until someone who didn’t speak our language thought I was joking when I said it. (Had to be there.) Later when we were with Roma, my translator, it was actually a “Hedgehog”. Sorry, still a funny name and we had another laugh.
He also at one point washed his windows. The car all of a sudden smelt like alcohol and he had me convinced the fluid in the wiper water was Vodka. He also gave me a bad time because I asked if the guys walking the streets in the middle of the night were taxi drivers. He motioned to me later pointing to some guys sitting on a curb with beer bottles saying “ya, taxi drivers”. Ok, I am in stiches with my delirium and his little brother teasing. I think it’s time for me to go back to sleep. Again, had to be there.
We arrive around midnight, (I think) at an amazing place where many families stay when they do their adoptions. It was an adorable white building in a back ally. The woman who ran the place was so sweet and the room was like a bridal suite with peach bedding and window coverings and a big double heart on the wall. Serge got my computer set up with internet and went off to bed. I of course cannot sleep and catch up with emails , call my hubby, and stress about falling asleep and not waking up in time for my little brother to come in and make me up to go without a shower.
I finally konk out only to wake up at 4 am by a call from my hubby so I shower, get ready, and continue to email.
I finally fall asleep again only to wake up to a knock and a guy walking into my room. I assume it’s Sergey doing his normal “get up we are leaving now ” greeting, but when I focus I see it is Roma (Roman). It was sooo good to see him. Roma is my translator and such a great guy. I love traveling with these two through Ukraine. Safe, fun, and interesting all in one. Roma is a book of knowledge and tells me history and stories of all the adoptions he has done over the 12 years doing them. He also fills me in about all the different regions and the adoption process in each one. All different! We had some time to catch up while Sergey got ready and off we went.
First stop another apartment that families can rent while they are adopting. Really really nice and by far the best place to stay I have seen in Ukraine. Rhonda, another California host mom, was there adopting her boys. We gave big hugs and I also had the pleasure of finally meeting Roma’s wife and baby girl who were also staying there with Rhonda. Both just beautiful! I had shopped for Rhonda’s boys because she found out she didn’t have good clothes and shoes to bring them home in and Ukraine turned out to be too expensive to buy these things.
We then all make our way to the orphanage. First we go up and meet O. the director. What a beautiful and amazing woman. She took us on a tour of the orphanage then brought children in to meet me to give the gifts I had brought from families. I had to search out the kids on our list to get photos and information. O. has this orphanage nicer than many US family homes. It is the Ritz of orphanages. She also is so amazing with the kids. She has a personal relationship with each one of them and knows everything about them. She talks to them like a mother talks to her children and she meets with them every week and rewards them for good studies. They all adore her and now so do I. Oh and I need to mention this is the orphanage where my little Vadym from last summer was from.
We had lunch with O. at one of Roma’s favorite restaurants in the town. It was a beautiful little bakery who donates pastries to the orphanage for the kids every week. On their birthdays the bakery also sends over cakes for the kids to celebrate. Again, amazing food and oh I forgot to mention, coffee in Ukraine is the best I have ever had.
The town was also very nice with lots of people and shops. Everyone dresses nice and it just feels very comfortable and safe. Of course everyone is beautiful and dresses nice. Leather, fur, and boots are the big fashion in Ukraine. Dark clothes are also very popular. Fashion jeans are also a must.
I had a nice bonding visit with O. and was very sad to say goodbye. Especially to my little man Slav. . I can’t wait to love him this summer! I was bummed I missed some of the kids but we will see them this summer.
Off to Ladyzhyn which was another 3 hour drive. That will be the next blog and the story is deep. Stay tuned. I am working on a huge project now because of this visit. I will write about it next.
I am very broken hearted I am in Ukraine and can’t see Lera. She is 18 ours from Kiev by train and it’s just not possible to see her. I did send her a huge bag of goodies through Ilona. I will be loving her soon enough. Can’t wait to see her
photos coming when I figure out how to add more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)