147.993 IMAGES • 354 FILMS   

2007

Project 15

2006

Project 14

Project 13

2005

Project 12

Project 11
Part2

Project 11

Project 7
Part3

Project 7
Part2

Project 10

2004

Project 9

Project 8

Project 7

Project 6

Project 5

Project 4

Project 3

Project 2

Project 1

Bringing Magic to Christmas

It is estimated that there are around 125,000 children living in Ukrainian orphanages. Often overcrowded and under funded, children’s homes need all the financial and practical help they can get. The One Percent initiative wants to help in whatever small way it can these richly deserving children and the dedicated carers who give their time energy and love to look after society’s most vulnerable members.

On our travels in the region we had found a children’s home in Kharkov. This small building was only meant to house 100 but was fit to burst with 151 children calling the place ‘home.’ We also found that some of the children at the home have mental health problems and learning disabilities. As we entered the children’s home for the first time it was immediately apparent to us that although the workers do a fantastic, often tireless job of caring for the children the kids craved so much more individual attention, human contact and social interaction than it is possible for the staff to give.

We were so impressed by all the children who were clearly well educated and polite with excellent manners. They held doors open for us and everybody was eager to help us on our way round the home, offering us directions. They were so cheerful, always smiling and wanting to chat with us. The home had a really friendly atmosphere and we were made to feel very welcome, like old friends perhaps!

We talked to Director of the home about what they needed most urgently at the present time. She told us they did not have enough clothes and shoes and had written us a list of all they needed. One thing we had noticed was that the building was old with a very cold floor and that some of the children wore summer sandal type shoes inside, because they didn’t have slippers. So the following day we went to a local market where we bought winter shoes, jeans, sweaters, underwear, waterproof trousers (for the young ones), towels and track suits for the children. We also bought bed linen because we’d noticed that the old bed linen was completely threadbare and worn, from the frequent washing it needs to be kept clean and hygienic. The shopping took several trips over several days to different places as all the items we needed couldn’t be found in one place.

We had also bought each child a small Christmas gift of individual boxes packed with candies and crates filled with different varieties of fresh fruit to hand out. Christmas in the Ukraine is celebrated on January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar and as it is in most other Orthodox Christian countries. We arranged a party for them the 5th and when we arrived we could tell the children were excited and full of expectations for the following day. We really wanted to give them a special day filled with happiness and fun and had organized a party bringing along two clowns for the entertainment.

Before the party we told the clown performers that some of the children had learning disabilities and would find it hard to take part in games and competitions with complicated instructions or rules. Many children with learning disabilities have difficulty sitting still for long stretches of time because of problems with sensory issues and their ability to concentrate. The clown performers were amazing and took all of this information on board coming up with a special session designed to take in account the children’s special needs.

In total 65 children aged from 4 to 6 attended the party. The party room was decorated beautifully, to create the magical Christmas atmosphere that is so exciting for children. Beautiful silver snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling and golden stars twinkling from the walls. Sadly not all the children were able to attend the party and remained in their rooms with nurses because of the condition of their health.

The children had so much fun and it made us feel so happy to see their smiling faces. They roared with laughter at the clown’s antics and were especially delighted by the magic tricks. After the entertainment they had more fun taking part in party games and competitions. After the party the clowns gave each of them their small box of candies. They were all so thrilled and appreciative of these small gifts and shouted “Thank you!” over and over before the nurses took them away for some much needed ‘quiet time’ in their rooms!

Ira, for 1% New Nudes New Hopes.

DivX (57Mb)
Quicktime (40Mb)
H264 (49Mb)
Windows (41Mb)