148.101 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

Project Nine: Fresh Food

There is only one kindergarten in Kiev where children with mental problems can go and play with other children. There are 152 of them registered at the center. The director says that the numbers of such children increase every year. Usually there were not more than 100 children at any one time but now the kindergarten is taking more kids, and that means more funds to run it are always needed.

The institution was founded in 1976 and since then there has been no work on maintenance and reconstruction. All the furniture and other essential accessories are almost 30 years old. One of the main problems has been the lack of a fridge. Children need fresh food every day but there wasn't the possibility to store it. That is why 1% New Nudes New Hopes stepped in and purchased a refrigerator for the center.

Frankly speaking, when I made my first visit, I didn't expect what I saw. As the children have mental and physical problems, there are lots of nurses who undergo exercises and treatment with them. These women are so kind and patient, they are like mothers to the children and it was surprise for me because I know that their fee for this important work is only $50-$60 per month - almost nothing in Kiev, with its constantly rising cost of living.

When we discussed with the director what presents they would like to receive for the children at Christmas, she told me only one thing was essential, that children need more developmental toys which help to think, to train fingers and to communicate. We went to the big shop and bought a lot of different toys. There were small kitchen sets with dishes and utensils, a veterinary hospital with medical instruments, a cleaning set, and many more things the little fingers can maneuver and play with.

All these new things will stay at the kindergarten for all the children so that they can exchange toys and play together. To present these things to the little ones we decided to organize a small party with clowns. I invited professional entertainers who know how to behave with such children. They played the simplest games, asked the children to sing and dance, and they really enjoyed the performance. To eat we provided bananas, mandarins and sweets. All the children were interested in the new bright toys placed under the Christmas tree. They came up to that heap of new things and touched every item, knowing they would soon be able to play with them.

I believe that thanks to the Hegre Charity Initiative we were able to give these special children a very nice Christmas and the things we purchased will help them develop faster and to become normal, worthy kids. Thank you from 1% New Nudes New Hopes. It has been a great year and we hope to do even more in 2005.


Tanya Shumeyko, for 1% New Nudes New Hopes.