Day 4 — Thursday

This morning we were all wishing we had another day with the kids, but now we’re all so exhausted we’re glad to have a break tomorrow. It was another great day! I had 14 today; about 45 total. Water play returned, but the new and exciting material introduced this morning was play dough. I must’ve sat at the table for 45 minutes playing with the kids and play dough. One of our rowdy children got a little carried away and water play had to be removed, but what can ya do? They also sorted objects by color, size, and shape. After recess we made tambourines out of paper plates and macarroni. Those were a huge hit! We had a great time on the playground. Jeff and Dave got a good work out at the slide. They helped kids slide down and then swung them up into the air over and over and over. We also had fun with a giant frisbee, but their favorite was probably the velcro catch and throw thing.

After the kids went to lunch, we joined the parents for some quick tea and sandwiches and then got to work making activities and academic games for them to take home and use with their children. It got a little tense at one moment when Tamara came into the room and began yelling at all the parents; telling them to leave everything there and not take it home. I don’t exactly know how to describe Tamara other than to say she is a very intimidating lady and when she talks, you jump and don’t ask how high. Every single parent in the room froze and sat looking bewildered, especially because all week we’d been teaching them how to work with their children at home and telling them they’d have an opportunity to make stuff. I, of course, was the lucky person elected to speak with Tamara. As I approached her, she informed me that she was very angry and when I asked if I could speak with her she said yes, but then stormed out of the room. I followed, but I was definitely not happy about the confrontation I was about to have.

We worked everything out, and looking on the bright side, the parents were able to collect the materials they needed to make activities for their children. They asked questions and sought out ideas. I was able to construct about 8 work tasks for the school and left the remaining supplies for the teachers to make additional activities. Unfortunately, Tamara’s little rant killed the energy in the room, but I believe we still met our objective. 

We ended the day by having a reception with the school staff and parents. We were served a traditional Ukrainian meal filled with amazing food and many toasts. We exchanged gifts and bid each other farewell with our minds already concentrating on next year. )

Tomorrow we’ll visit the baby house, which is always a sobering experience. We’ll also do a little shopping and sight seeing. The VBS group will finish up their last day at the children’s home and Intake center. They were filmed by a Ukrainian news crew yesterday, and tonight Jason is being interviewed by another news person. Word is getting out!  It’s great! Then we start the trek home Saturday by returning to Kyiv.

I miss you all. It was great hearing from so many of you. Thanks for the news and words of encouragment. Can’t wait to share my pictures. It has been a great trip. Probably the best yet!

Love, Kelly

From: Kelly Marshall
Subject: Day 3 update

Hello again!

Sorry I missed you all yesterday. It was a truly fantastic day and I was soooo tired I just couldn’t drag myself to the internet cafe, which was really too bad because I have lots of exciting news to share.

Day 3 — Wednesday

I think the most important Ukrainian word I’ve learned is “cheki” (wait). The children were so excited to see us arrive Wednesday morning they could hardly contain themelves, and we couldn’t keep them out of the room while we were setting up. I must’ve asked them to ‘wait’ a dozen times. I couldn’t get too frustrated though because it was a great feeling that they were happy to see us. We had 16 kids in our group!

Water play was such a big hit we decided to repeat it. The kids also had fun exploring textured shaving cream, and later I introduced them to oobleck. For those of you unfamiliar with oobleck, it’s a mixture of corn starch and water, which is simultaneously a liquid and a solid. It’s fascinating stuff. Our fine motor centers included moving pom poms with assorted spoons, building block towers and bridges, and playing with the peg board. I’ve learned my colors in Ukrainian so I had fun encouraging the children to build patterns out of the colored pegs. I had a very smart group.

Our day went incredibly smoothly. The kids were finally getting a hang of the daily activities and routine. The best part of Wednesday, however, was the afternoon with the parents. Rob Feathers started us off by sharing his story about his family and the founding of USNOF. He then laid out, very explicitly, what steps parents need to take to be a good advocate for their child. He also discussed the importance of a strong parent organization and the skills the leader of this group would require. The parents in attendance were extremely attentive and took notes. Rob was followed by Viktor, the founder (not current leader) of the existing parent organization. He emphasized many of the points Rob had shared. Viktor did not speak long before a father started asking questions. Before I knew it, the entire group was talking — sharing their ideas, fears, obstacles in their way, etc. We tried to reassure them; acknowleding and sharing some of their fears, but encouraging them to move forward regardless.

As soon as Viktor stopped speaking and returned to his seat the parents swarmed around him and began exchanging phone numbers and talking excitedly. We all had goose bumps! It was a fantastic moment. Unfortunately, Tamara, director of Pahinets, and Lyubov were not present while Rob and Viktor spoke. They were off arguing, but when they eventually came into the room they were supportive of the message that had been shared. They joined in with the parents and communicated that they’d done all they could, but the government wanted to hear from the parents. It was their turn!

Apparently, a meeting between Tamara, Lyubov, Victor, and others took place after we left for the day. It didn’t end until 6:15. Viktor refused to leave until Tamara agreed to extend her program to include 1st grade (it now only serves children birth – Kindergarten). We received the news this morning. She agreed!  What a triumph!!! We’ve been teaching the parents to advocate for their children and they did it.

It’s been a long, great day, at Pahinets.  Because of Victor, and his dedication and perserverence, his son Anton will continue his education at Pahinets in the fall as a member of their first 1st grade class. 

Praise God for this advancement, and pray that the Lord would continue to use Victor to inspire others.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. 
- Margaret Mead

[I thought this was such a great report that it merited it's own top-level post. -JLM]

From: Kelly Marshall

Hi everyone,

I understand the heat wave will be ending shortly. Hope you all aren’t melting away.  )

Day two of the Pahinets day camp was a huge success. More children arrived today for a grand total of 50 children. My room had approximately 15; I never did get an accurate count because they kept on coming. Since our team is divided between five groups plus the parent trainings, we’re a little short staffed and I’d love a few more translators, but we’re making do and having fun. Plus, it gives me a chance to practice my Ukrainian. I’ve learned a lot. I know all my colors now, several animals, and I’m now learning my food. Today I was playing with a little boy in the dramatic play area and I was able to say, “Budlaska, ya hochu pomodori” which means “I want the tomato please.”  )

We introduced the children to water play this morning and they loved it! Actually that may be an understatement. Their reaction to shaving cream was equally exciting. Outside we’re playing with foam paddles and balloons as well as those velcro catch and throw toys. They’re like magic! They love them. The parents are having just as much fun exploring all our toys and gadgets.

The parent sessions are going rather well. We discussed advocacy this afternoon. Emily did a brief presentation defining advocacy and laying out steps on how to be an advocate. Mia followed up by telling stories of four children and their families, ranging in age, disability, and experience with the special education process/system. Then we broke the parents up into small groups based on their child’s age and I provided them with discussion questions to apply to the scenario just presented, and then to get them thinking about what their next step would be with their child. Each group seemed to be having in depth conversations. I know the conversation in my group was fantastic. The parents really seem to be ready to take the necessary strides to advocate for their children, or at least find the most appropriate and beneficial school placement.

Tomorrow Rob Feathers, one of the founding members of USNOF, will be speaking to the parents about his experience advocating for his two girls with Down syndrome (one is adopted from Ukraine). They really need to hear from a fellow parent who has been in their shoes, especially a father. We’re also hoping to have a special guest, Lyubov, who is the director of the Ukrainian American Birth Defects program, and one of the behind the scenes advocates for the Pahinets. She’s received some interesting feedback from the government and the parents really need to hear what she has to say. Everyone else has done as much as they can, and now the government says they won’t do anything until they hear directly from the parents. Our hope is that after this week the parents are ready to speak and be heard.

I fall in love with this cause all over again every time I’m here. It’s just such a passionate crowd with sincere interest and a desire to do better. I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Thanks for all your prayers!  Love, Kelly