He Has Graduated

 

Normally a child's graduation is a happy time.  Pre-school graduation, Kindergarten graduation, High School graduation.  All reasons to celebrate, a time to be proud of all they have accomplished.

But graduation from an orphanage??

Not so much.

 

 

Rather than a time of celebration, for most orphans this is a moment in time they have dreaded all their lives.  Rather than a rejoicing, looking forward to their future,

they are scared.

 

For many, they wonder where they are to go now?  What will they do to survive?  Where will they live, how will they make money??

 

For a few lucky ones, they will be enrolled in a trade school, but those opportunities are few and far between.  Many end up on the streets.

 

Well, last month was graduation time for our sweet Ianto.

 

 

 

Even though he just turned 15 this spring, he has completed 10th grade at the orphanage school and is now done.

He will be required to leave the school at the end of August.

 

WOW.

 

The thought of sending a 15 year old out to live on his own or take care of himself is mind blowing to me.

 

Ianto and his orphanage director

Luckily for him, he will be one of the ones entered into a trade school.  We have no idea for what though.  Each child is assigned a course of study, whether they like it or not.  That is what they will be trained in.  At least it is something.

 

But just look at these pictures?  Do these kids look happy?  Cheerful?  Elated that their schooling is complete and that they are on to the next adventure??

NO.

 

See him in the back??  :)

 

Now granted some of that is cultural, they don't ham it up for the camera a lot like we do, but they usually at least crack a smile.  I know, I have been there, met these children and taken quite a few pictures of these kids.  They usually LOVE photos!

 

 

I just can't help but feel the dread inside each one of them when I look at these pictures.  Instead of it being a time to celebrate, it is a time of worry for many of them.

They realize that most of them have lost their chance at ever having a family.

Hopelessness.

 

We want to relieve this hopelessness from at least one child.

Our future son, Ianto.

 

Hanging out on the playground equiptment



Getting food for their graduation celebration

 We are trying desperately to make sure that we get to our sweet son as soon as possible so that he does not have to spend too much time out on his own in the trade school.  Trade school is different than the orphanage.  Very different.

 

We know he wants to be adopted.

Badly.

We have met this boy many times and grew to like us very much.  And we like him  ;)

Like isn't even the word.

LOVE.

 

He deserves a chance at a better life and we want to give that to him.

He deserves a family, just as all of them do.

He deserves to be loved and cared for and protected.

He shouldn't have to do it all on his own at such a young age.

He shouldn't have to worry or be fearful.

 

A few weeks ago Ianto was told by a friend of ours that he has a family. 

A FAMILY!

To say he was overjoyed might be an understatement.

He went around to all his teachers and friends and told them goodbye,

that he was leaving  :)

Well hold on buddy, not so fast!

But you see, he was happy!!  He has something to look forward to!

A way out.

Now he can have some peace, because before he was SO worried.

He knew what was going to happen to him and

he was scared.

He wants out.  NOW.

 

So you see, this is the reason we need to get to him quickly.

He is waiting.  He is being sent away at the end of August.  So soon.

And we can't wait to bring him HOME!!

 

Thank you to those who support our efforts, it means a lot to us.

If you are on Facebook, we have a fundraiser going on right now to help us raise money to bring him home.  We are selling homemade paracord survivor bracelets. 

 

Style A

 

Style B

 

 You can place an order by emailing me at jurowe@vnet.net

They are $15 for one, $25 for two plus $2.50 s&h

You need to let me know...

-Style A or B

-Color:  Gray, Gray and Black, Rainbow Multi, or Blue and Yellow like the Ukrainian flag.

-Size: Men's or Women's

Include your name and address for me to ship it to and a copy of your Paypal receipt to show you made a contribution to our FSP.  That donation can be done HERE.

Thank you!!

 

And I just have to say, for those who truly don't understand why we are doing this, I am sorry.

I know sometimes there are criticisms of adoption, especially adoptions being done by larger families.

But to my way of thinking, larger family is better than no family at all.

Better than a life on the streets.

And we have so much love to give.

 

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers!  Please pray for Ianto during these next few months.  He is the one who needs your prayers the most.