December 2005 Update
Hello from Ryazan!
Winter has arrived in Ryazan, the fur coats are out in force and snow isn't far off! Thank goodness for central heating in my flat….many Russians don't have that luxury.
As you know, the project started in September and it's going incredibly well. The children are astonishing the baby home staff with the amount of progress they have all made. I thought that in this and future updates you may like to hear about a specific Portage worker and her children, so here goes.
I'm starting with Inga, a lovely lady with a very calm and gentle personality; she seems to radiate peace.
Inga
Children were selected for the Portage workers randomly, but it strikes me that Inga has four very challenging children.
Katya
Katya has developmental delay.When she first started Portage sessions Katya was withdrawn, tearful and disinterested in toys and games. Now however she is a lively little girl with a good sense of humour and a naughty streak! She learned to play peek-a-boo with Inga first of all by having her face covered with a scarf; it has now developed into a full game of `hide and seek' with Katya initiating the game by hiding behind some of the enormous toy animals in the baby home's music room. Most recently she has learned to enjoy looking through a book, `Goldilocks and the three bears' is a favourite, and helping to turn pages.
Pascha
Pascha is a lively little boy with Downs Syndrome who needs careful handling as he has a tendency to stop eating but is progressing well and is now putting on weight. Pascha takes a great interest in people and is starting to play with and explore toys which he did not do before Portage. He is enjoying looking at his reflection in a mirror and is starting to push up on his hands when lying on his tummy lifting one hand to wave at Inga. He has a lovely personality and never stops smiling.
Vallia
Vallia is a very active little girl with an abundance of energy. Inga has a very calming effect on her, enabling her to concentrate well during her Portage sessions. Vallia is smiling and cooing at her reflection in a mirror and likes to play peek-a-boo with Inga. She can stand holding one hand and walks and even climbs stairs with minimal help. She's a real character and many people are obviously surprised at how much she has improved since she began her Portage sessions.
Dascha
Dascha is a timid little girl with enormous beautiful eyes and lashes to die for! She took time to build up trust, and at first howled every time Inga went near her, however she now starting to be braver and enjoys being in Inga's company. She too has been affected by foetal alcohol syndrome and is delayed in her development. She is starting to enjoy being bounced on Inga's knee and enjoys watching her reflection in the mirror. She is enjoying exploring noisy toys and is currently learning to stand.
In addition to the remarkable progress being made by the children, the project itself is generating enormous enthusiasm amongst people in Ryazan. The Director of the baby home is amazed at the progress of the children and we now have a Project Review Team (which consists of people interested in children with disability) who will work together to influence policy and advocate on behalf of the children. Influential people in Ryazan authorities have come and seen for themselves the difference we are making and the project is being seen as a model for good practice and positive attitudes. We have already been asked by these people to extend our support within the community and in other orphanages. We always believed that once people started to see the difference that Portage makes, they would embrace it- but we are overwhelmed by how many people, and how fast!
So thank you so much for all your continued support. I hope you can see just what a difference you are helping to make to the lives of the children - please keep supporting us! We have so much more to do!
I try and update ThePromise website monthly, so please do visit to keep more up to date with our progress.
In the meantime, have a peaceful Christmas holiday,
Best Wishes,
Karen
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