THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GRACE

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

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HOW YOU CAN HELP US OUR HISTORY IN FACES

 

WHY HELP CHILDREN IN RUSSIA? A FEW FACTS ABOUT:

Social orphans  is one of greatest problems of today Russia. These are children who have living parents but live in crisis conditions: poverty, parents' alcoholism and no hope for the future. Nobody knows the exact number of such children. Some experts say about number of 700.000-800.000 children. It is more than it was in the Soviet Union after II World War. School social workers say about 20.000.000 children living in at-risk- families.

The problem of this  national disaster is also in society- it does not want to know this problem. According to a research 999 people of 1000 when being asked about their concerning to street children, answered that "It is not our problem".

Now there are 270.000 orphans live in orphan houses  and only 7.000 are adopted annually.  

The governmental politics on this problem decision: sending a child to the orphan's house and prohibit his/her parents to bring a child  up.

WHAT DOES GRACE UMC DO TO HELP THESE CHILDREN?

We help "social orphans" from at-risk-families with daily hot meals, clothes, medicines, education programs and Christian program. In 2007 we supported over 165 children.

Our ministry brings hope and gives a chance for the family to be saved, a chance for a child to stay in a family and prevent becoming an orphan.

To know more come to CHURCH ACTIVITIES page and visit www.springcenter.org

Liza, 10 years old

We met Liza in summer 2007 when she came to our camp. She is a very energetic girl from a family where all family members are alcoholics. If you look attentively at her face you will notice a scar which she got a few years ago when both of her parents were drank and did not look after her. She broke the mirror and cut her face. When she came to the camp all her clothes was dirty and had a smell of smoke. She also was very hungry- probably the hungriest person in a camp. Our 5 times meals were not enough for her. She was ready to eat 10 times a day. Liza could not read and write well. Some times she was very scared and aggressive.

But God with His Love makes wonders in Liza's life. In UM children's center she gets hot meals every day. She has got extra studies on math, reading, Russian and English here. Liza's school teacher started praising her not only quarrelling. We helped Liza to go through the medical examination. What does Liza like do most in center? Music, dancing and Bible lessons especially!

The life of this little girl has only started to be changed, she needs so much love, she needs a future with hope.

You can help Liza and many other kids like her with sponsoring  meals, activities, medical care and many other needs these children have.

Alexandra, 10 years old

Alexandra was invited to center Spring by her friend 2 years ago. Alexandra lives with her grandma. Her parents divorced many years ago and are alcoholics. Her mother sometimes lives with Alexandra but most time she spends somewhere outside. When Alexandra came to us she was very aggressive. She was full of pain. Her grandma has got 5 adult children and all are alcoholics.

People of Grace UMC do not want Alexandra to follow her relations' way. We want Alexandra to  be a happy child with a good future. A future with hope.

Sasha, 9 years

Last Fall a school teacher brought us a boy named Sasha. He looked very shy and quit. His teacher told us that Sasha's mother committed suicide 2 years ago and since that time he lives with grandma. And nobody knows where his father is.  Sasha studies at school badly and it is a permanent source of his affliction. In fact when he only came to us he was not interested in anything in this life.

After a few months in a center he started smiling. He even sometimes lets himself behave not very well. But we are glad that he becomes a usual child. He needs so much love and time. He found new friends here. Center's staff helped Sasha's grandma to collect papers and find information about his father. There is also such a long way before him- the whole life. The life which can be changed for the better, transformed with God's Love through you...

In April we learnt that Sasha's father perished.  Sasha became an orphan.

Ira (girl) 10 years and Pavel (boy) 16 years old.

Ira and Pavel are sister and brother. Here on this picture they are in our camp and look happy.

In their family there are 11 children. Their family situation is very difficult. Their mother drinks and their father is a drug taker. Family lives in poverty. Pavel who has not finished school yet, has to work and that's why he's got problems with education. In a center he gets extra studies on math. It gives him a chance to pass the exams.

Ira comes to center with her other 3 brothers. It's a great support for children that they can get meals here. They are involved in many activities like crafts, music and sport.

Center is a safe place for them, their second home. It helps them to stay away from street.   

 

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