Siberians say thanks

To the editor:

Bolshoye spaceeba! (Thank you very much!)

How we wish that you, who help make possible the good things that have been done on behalf of the children of Abakan, could see for yourselves what your generosity has made possible. It hardly seems fair that we have the good fortune to directly meet with these beautiful children and the dedicated staff who provide them with a family life when their own families are unable to care for them. You graciously settle for this, our accounting of your good deeds half a world away.

We arrived at the Abakan airport, travel weary, but exhilarated by the reception committee awaiting us. Eight members of our Russian “family” were waiting with cameras, flowers and many hugs and kisses. When we arrived at the home of Sasha and Natasha Glukhov, a feast of Pelmeni, one of our favorite Siberian dishes, was served.

Natasha informed us that she had spoken with Nina G., the director of the Yoletchka Children’s Home and had a list of things needed for the children to prepare them for the upcoming school year. How tickled we were to tell her that we needed to call back the next day, as we had raised considerably more money and could do more significant shopping. And shop we did! We were surprised to find that Abakan now has a Super Wal-Mart type department store called “Alpie.” The clerks there were taken aback as we purchased items such as notebooks, markers, coloring books, pens, pencils, paints and paper for 90 children! Metal cups and bowls for camping trips were bought as was a ping pong table, paddles and balls from a local sporting goods shop. Half a dozen soccer balls, a basketball hoop to replace a broken one, two basketballs, badminton sets and DVD-VCR players ensure that good recreational options are available to the children. During our conversation with Nina, she told us that she had been fortunate enough to find a contractor who donated much needed renovations. During this work, however, the fire alarms were disconnected and the government told her that it was up to her to have them re-installed. Needless to say, she was quite distraught about the safety implications and was not able to come up with the money necessary for re-installing the fire alarms. With Wally being a member of the Brookfield Fire Department, the safety issue was clear and the Brookfield Fire Battalion’s ongoing and generous support of the children of Yoletchka made paying for this re-installation an easy decision.

We enjoyed a lovely visit with the children, which included songs and games, American candies and a chance to talk and take some pictures. Their appreciation for the things we brought was heartwarming and very evident. A visit from the local television station found this story told on the Russian evening news!

After our time at Yoletchka, we spent the weekend camping on the Oos River, one of the tributaries of the Yenesei. Upon our return to Abakan, a meeting with Tanya B., a doctor who works with the Malutka Babies’ home, yielded another extensive shopping list. These items were more readily found at the smaller specialty shops in town. Our faces on the evening news made us a very welcome sight to many of these small shop owners. If they had what we needed, we provided them with more business than they may usually see in a week. Because it was known that we were shopping for the Babies’ Home, most gave discounts and thanked us as we purchased new pillows, blankets, bedcovers, clothing, pajamas, snowsuits, boots and hats for the 40 children there. Building blocks, puzzles and cassettes of children’s songs and lullabies provided some new fun for these dear little ones. Our visit to Malutka began with the 3 year olds, some with neurological disorders such as Down and fetal alcohol syndromes. These little children were so excited with our presence and the new snowsuits, that although it was quite hot, they would not take them off after trying them on! We sat and played with them until their lunchtime when we were given the chance to visit with the youngest babies and the more seriously disabled children for the first time. Paulina is just 5 months old with blond hair and piercing blue eyes — perfect in every way. Her eyes never break contact as she lies quietly in her crib. Older children of 5 to 6 with cerebral palsy are clean and well fed, but without the kind of therapeutic services children with disabilities receive in this country, they can’t possibly achieve their full potential.

It is difficult to describe the feeling — wanting desperately to put them all onto an airplane bound for loving homes in the U.S., but knowing that spreading the word about their lives and humbly bringing them the love and support of their friends in America is all we can do for now.

So, on their behalf, we thank you, dear friends of these beautiful children, for making it possible to make their lives a bit better and for making things just a little more hopeful in far off Siberia. If you are interested in learning more about adoption from Abakan, please call us at 413-436-7829.

With thanks and blessings,
Michele and Wally Connor
Socks For Siberia

Fans from afield

To the crew of the Brookfield Citizen:

Keep up the good work, you're all doing a great job!

Harriet and Ron Davis

Harriet and Ron are the parents of the late Ted Davis, one of the founding fathers of the Brookfield Citizen and A.P.P.L.E. Seed, Inc. Ted wrote "The Sports Fan" column until his death, when he succumbed to cancer. Harriet and Ron were instrumental also in the Citizen, by way of showing us the result of their efforts in the same vein with a newsletter, in Ashland, Mass. They continue to be loyal supporters of our efforts. -P.P.

Michele gives books to children of Yoletchka.

Yoletchka kids with balls and books.

Natasha with book. Wally with Alec from Malutka Babies Home.

Malutka children have new snowsuits.

Michele & Wally with Svetlana in her new snowsuit.

Eegor has cerebral palsy.

Paulina is 5 months old and perfectly beautiful!