N&S DOMa: March 2019

Saturday, March 30, 2019

This past week, quite a bit got started.

The kitchen and main hall being prepared for the

shiplap that will go up.

The bedrooms, 4 so far, have laminate floors now.

These pictures share a bit more of what the hospital beds

look like that we purchased, as they were shipped here from

Germany to be used in ministry.

Our next task for the beds will be finding a mattress

that is supportive, yet flexible that we can order

here from Ukraine. These beds are nicer than what

the local hospitals her in the area use, and they were cast offs from

others. We are very grateful, the Lord definitely provides.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Sorry, folks it's been a bit,

but there's lots going on right now & here's a glimpse at a bit of it.

I'll try to sort through the mix

Just about all the paving tiles are down now

the exterior of the house now needs the insulation and stucco work put on.

Looking at the exterior back door. The extension of the bedroom

directly in front has the foundation all prepared. Waiting on the next steps.

the bedroom foundation in progress

center circle of the therapy garden

we'll be planting an oak tree in that center spot

DOORS, LIGHT FIXTURES & A WHOLE LOT MORE

good sturdy hospital beds from Germany

we bought 4 for $120 each

bedroom and bathroom style doors

without the window, that will be solid like the rest of the door

entryway tile being laid

Dr. Suess lamp for the forest room

GROUT WORK

completed in all tiled rooms

wall plugs and switches now in place

WORK ON OUR COWBOYS & INDIAN THEME

in the main hall the colague coming together

Can you see the mustang?

About

Loving on disable children in a small town, state run orphanage.

THEIR FUTURE

Most kids in Ukraine have to leave the orphanage at 18 years of age. A normal, healthy orphan has a rather bleak future if they don't have the encouragement of others. Most have few life skills and a poor education, and they are left to fend for themselves.

But for handicapped orphans, those labeled mentally disabled, their future is miserable. At 18 they are uprooted from the only home they have ever known, the orphanage, and sent to live in a psychological "internat" (government run institute) or an old-age home for the rest of their lives. They have no rights… no formal education and no understanding of life outside the orphanage. Desperate for freedom and longing to be loved, they are isolated from society.

Throughout their life in Ukraine, nothing for these disabled children comes easily. The world here is not handicap accessible. The stigma and cultural perspective remains in many people’s minds that these kids are not kids and need to be shut away. That is what has been done, having been placed in institutes they are not allowed to leave. The mentality of some who work in the homes is that the children don’t have feelings because they cannot respond or interact as a typical child. The children are not expected to live. That changes the whole outlook on care, feeding, nurturing, health, and every aspect of life.

But what about their hearts?

Necessities are covered by a small stipend from the local government for families who keep their disabled children in their homes. Many homes are single moms, and if she is at home with her disabled child, she cannot work to put food on the table or provide a roof over her family’s head. The government’s stipend does not begin to cover these needs. In many ways, out of a pure lack of resources, it is easier for the family to allow the government to provide, which means giving up their parental rights and letting someone else take care of their children.

The government will step in and remove a disabled child from the home if there is alcohol abuse, drug, and/or physical abuse. These addictions often result in the child having epilepsy. This is one of the biggest problems in the orphanage.

For all the children, no matter if their disability is physical, mental, or both, between 18 and 19 years of age, they will be moved to an asylum referred to as a psycho-neurological “internat” for adults or to a facility comparable in nature to an old folk’s homes.

This is the future for these young adults.

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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Thursday, March 28, 2019