I find it hard to believe that this is the same place that was almost minus 40ºC only a few months ago. Now it’s almost 30ºC and summer flowers are everywhere and the exodus of Russians to their dachas (country homes) has begun for the annual gathering of wild mushrooms, strawberries etc.

I’d like to share the wonderful changes that are happening at Yelatma closed home where one of our new Portage projects is taking place. Yelatma is the sort of place where the children who are deemed “in-educable” end up. Before ThePromise arrived, the children who couldn’t walk stayed in bed all day with no toys, no stimulation and no therapy. The portage project only began in May but already I see a huge difference in the children and in the attitude of staff towards them. Our senior Portage worker Maria has always had a great empathy for the children but until she was introduced to Portage she felt at a loss as to know how to help. Now she is fired up with enthusiasm and it’s catching!

The children all look brighter and more alert - even those who aren’t part of our project seem to be benefiting. Maria and her two other Portage workers Anya and Nina are so motivated that the other staff members are showing an interest too and of course the children are responding. We now have 11 children in the project, but I’ve picked out 3 to tell you about.

Nastya (No 1) is 9 years and 5 months and has cerebral palsy and a learning disability. She’s a pretty girl who used to lie in bed all day, unable to do anything and had no stimulation. Now she can sit independently for short periods and can stand holding onto the side of the play-pen, so she can watch what’s going on in the room. Nastya is enjoying exploring toys, and particularly likes anything that makes a noise; her favourite is a bell bracelet which she likes to hear jingle. She is now feeding herself with her fingers and drinking from a cup, holding it with both her hands. The best thing of all is that she has learned to smile.

Masha is 6 years and 5 months and has Downs syndrome. Masha is responding well to attention from adults and has become quite a giggler who smiles frequently. Previously she lay in bed all day staring blankly at nothing in particular. She can hold her bottle independently to drink. She is playing peek-a-boo, hiding under a shawl. She can stand with support e.g. holding onto the side of the ball-pool and enjoys nothing better than to pick out a ball and throw it back into the pool.

Nastya (No. 2) is 5 years 2 months. She has cardiac problems, a learning disability, an abnormal skull and paralysis of her lower limbs.Nastya is shy but now she’s smiling at familiar people and voices. She is exploring people’s faces e.g. pulling at their noses and likes exploring different textures. Nastya can stand for short periods with some help or against a wall for support and can bounce up and down on her bed holding Maria’s hands. She is learning to feed herself cake and biscuits with her fingers and can drink from a cup using both hands with help.

These are big steps forward for children who were thought to have no potential. Maria and her team are doing an amazing job and your continued support is changing lives.