Not even sure what to say…

I may have many visits and mornings like the one I had today, but as this was my first by myself it had a profound effect. I feel shaken and stirred, much like a James Bond cocktail.

So, yesterday, I find out through my interpreter, Olga, that a car will be here to pick us up at 930 today. We will be visiting a children's rehabilitation center for disabled youth. I am told that there will be media involved. So, at 920A this morning I was ready to go, and by 930A, Olga and I were on our way to the rehabilitation center. A woman that I met during a meeting with the Lugansk Department of Social and Youth Services was there to greet me.

With Olga’s help I discovered that the youth had put together a presentation following children’s fairy tales. There would be music and clowns. I also discovered that the rehabilitation center had been in its current building for about six months and the building seemed to be an old kindergarten building. The first thing I realized was that although this was a rehabilitation center for children there was no disabled access into the building. I might have to see what I can do about that. Also the building could use a basic overhaul. And there was no AC.






This was all from a 90 minute visit.

But the kids were amazing. The love and laugh like kids. They have fun and participate like kids. They took my breathe away at their pure joy and happiness to celebrate. Celebrate anything!! The parents were kind and seemed to embrace me as someone who could help. Which I am going to try and do.



I was introduced several times, but there was a definite loll after the performance. It was very warm inside the building, so we all ventured outside. While standing around I was not quite sure what to do, so me being me, I decided to talk to the kids, in Russian. So I got down on their level and asked, Hello, what is your name? I got adorable responses of Nikita and Sasha. And then the fascination with the camera began. It was fabulous! Had I not been in a skirt I probably would have sat right down and had kids all over me. They were awesome.



Next up was Maxsim. So, Maxsim, after be egged on by his mom, spoke to me in English. And the kid has amazing pronunciation. Again just the simple conversation of name, how are you, and age.



One point: PERSONALITY