Summer Vacation 2007
for the Orphans and their Friends from USA

Ark Mission have held the Summer Program 2007 in Russia.

June 21st, 2007

We are happy to announce that the 5th annual summer camp for orphan and abandoned children, sponsored and organized by Ark Mission, has been very successful.

When we write those words, the camp is still in progress (the dates of the program are June 7th – June 23rd, 2007) but we want to provide you with the first report about the camp in progress, and later, after the camp will be over, we will be able to provide you with a last, final report. Summer program 2007 brought together 120 kids, ages 6 to 16, from 9 orphanages of Ivanovo region, Russia, and their caretakers, student team leaders, organizations of the camp from Russia side, the representatives of Friends Around the World (non-profit organization based in Russia) and Ark Mission representatives and volunteers. We all were one big family! The camp was located in a beautiful setting of Kleshevka (One hour of drive from Ivanovo) with tall trees and a beautiful river.

For the orphans, these three weeks of fun, relaxation, exercise and friendship were such a memorable and unforgettable experience! Some of them met their friends from the previous summer camp of 2006, and many of them became new friends with one another. It is hard to describe the feeling when all of the adults were standing near the camp’s entrance waiting for the buses with the kids to arrive. All of us had butterflies in our stomachs and then we started to count – ‘one, two, three’ – more and more buses arrived and soon the kids started to get out of them. All of them were a little shy but we could see such an inspiring interest and curiosity in their eyes. The camp was a great adventure for them! Each day was a blast, full of exciting, special, and extraordinary activities. Ark Mission brought a lot of toys, clothing, games and books for the kids and our representatives and volunteers did everything to make each day special for the kids. Ark Mission ordered and purchased more than 120 t-shirts with the Ark logo and all of them were divided among the children and caretakers on the second day of the camp. Each team has its own color’s t-shirts, its own title, flag, logo and motto. During the first part of the camp we had competitions, games, shows, and disco dances every day. Some competitions were sport competitions, when children had to go from station to station and demonstrate their physical abilities in jumping, running, soccer and basketball and being on a team. Some competitions were artistic competitions, such as ‘Fairy Tale’ show, or ‘Our talented kids show’ or ‘Star Teenager’ Show, where kids demonstrated their artistic abilities to sing, dance, act and be creative.

Ark Mission brought a lot of costumes and kids appreciated being able to wear those beautiful costumes for their performances. Ark Mission organized ‘the Kingdom of Berendei’ competition – when kids went to the forest, collected natural material and handmade outside and inside art-projects. The kids did such a wonderful job and demonstrated outstanding fantasy and skill! It is hard to describe all the activities we had with kids during the first part of the camp. We had face painting, chalk drawing, puzzle drawing and puzzle games, art therapy session, team dance session, competition to come up with a best emblem of Kleshevka, 2 stores and etc. We have to tell more about our stores. The kids who were behaving well, helping and actively participating received paper made money and were able to go to the Ark Mission Store and ‘buy’ the toys for themselves and their friends! Our stores were an absolute blast – kids were waiting for them with great excitement and anticipation. It was hard for us, adults, to see how their eyes were shining when they saw so many beautiful toys and it was a hard time for them to decide what to choose. Our American kids who have everything they can wish for, can not even imagine how those deprived Russian orphans looked with tears on a Barbie doll or grin from ear to ear when they were able to ‘buy’ a strawberry flavored gum! You had to see those kids’ eyes! Those kids made a very special impression on us. They are so open, so loving, when they see a kind person they approach them easily, they climb, kiss, hug you, they all are in such desire of gentle love, hugs and kisses. Some kids even cried because of a lot of sadness in their heart. They are beautiful kids and again and again --- programs like this keeps us moving and motivated! We care about all of them and 120 kids are now our dear, loved, special friends. We want to make a better difference in their lives! Please support us and help us achieve our goal!

Special thanks to our executive director who is a ‘heart of this program’ Lena Karadjov. Special thanks to our volunteers Linda Bower and her family, who is the driving artistic force of this program and who is absolutely adored by all children, and also special thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers - to Sandie, Paul and Janet.

Report provided by Alla Afinogenova

We hope to have a big great team from the USA. Our missionary group is always
welcomed into the orphanages, and its help is always appreciated.

For more information contact office@adoptionark.com or call
Linda at 630-207-0025, Dina at 773-593-3495,
Jill at 503-590-2728 or Kim at 877- 213-1444.