Of 15,000 teens who’ve graduated from a Russian orphanage in 1993, one out of three became homeless, one out five committed a crime, and one out of 10 committed suicide, according to statistics released from the Russian Federation.
Kidsave International was formed to lessen these numbers, and give children in Russia and Kazakhstan a chance for a happy, family life.
The nonprofit organization brought its program to Michigan most recently with the Michigan Summer Miracles 2003 event, where 10 children, ages six to 13, traveled from Kazakhstan for a six-week stay in hopes of finding a permanent family. Here, they got to experience a summer day camp, weekend outings, play time and the love of a volunteer host family.
It was an experience that changed the lives of many, some right here in Clarkston.
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Richard Powers was on his way out of town in January, when he saw in the newspaper Kidsave was having a meeting in Rochester. He couldn’t be there, but called wife Susan for her to attend. She went and there signed up to be a host family. (Volunteer host families open their homes as well as provide a means for appropriate medical care for the children. Families receive support and guidance from a licensed adoption social worker.)
Four of the older children arrived July 11, the remaining six came in early August.
“One girl in particular stood out,” Susan Powers said. “She was so neat.”
Her name is Ekaterina, and she is 13-years-old.
“We weren’t thinking about adopting,” Susan admits. The Powers have two other college-age children.
But a strong bond was formed and love began to bloom.
“Some people think we’re crazy. But she fits right in to our family just great,” Susan said, a Springfield Plains Elementary teacher who was named Clarkston’s 2002 Teacher of the Year. Powers, who has taught for more 30 years, also got involved teaching at the Kidsave day camp this summer.
“She gets along with our kids real well. She’s so polite, just like our kids.” And the language barrier has not been a challenge, Susan said. “It’s not hard because you just use a lot of action with your words. She understands.”
Ekaterina goes back to Kazakhstan Aug. 22. The Powers will begin the adoption paper work immediately, with hopes they’ll be able to travel to Kazakhstan at Christmas and bring her home.
When her new “Momma and Poppa” are mentioned, a big smile crosses Ekaterina’s face and she describes her family enthusiastically, “Good!”
Ekaterina and the other children were told by a social worker, they would know when they meet their new Momma and Poppa because they would look forward to getting up in the morning with “hearts pumping” and “souls singing.”
Excited, Ekaterina revealed, about the Powers, “I feel this way!”
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For Joy Ohlsson, a Clarkston resident of three years, she had always dreamed of adopting.
She saw an article in the newspaper as well about a host family introduction meeting.
At the meeting, the facilitator began with a prayer asking the Lord’s blessing.
At that moment, “I knew it was something I was supposed to do,” Joy said, who has two stepdaughters, Linnea, 23, and Sara, 22.
But husband, Bjorn, was not sure about the idea. They prayed about it and eventually decided together to sign up to be a host family.
That’s when Jenya came into their lives.
Unfortunately, Joy said, “Jenya had a hard time coming over.” He was running on a playground and hit his head, causing a concussion. Jenya missed coming over to America with the other children. Joy didn’t give up hope, though, Kidsave raised $2,000 to help bring him here on Aug. 11.
Jenya, 10, is one of the only children with a physical disability. It isn’t sure, but it is assumed he has cerebral palsy. Joy will be taking Jenya to the doctor for an evaluation. Many children with disabilities in Kazakhstan do not receive the medical attention they deserve. For example, Jenya has not received the proper physical therapy and so has only been learned to walk three years ago.
Joy has treasured the time with Jenya.
“It’s been a very fast bonding situation. He opened up right away with us. It’s been a blessing. Especially, seeing him open up and being so surprised by all the things we take for granted here. The Lord has also taught me patience and to rely on him since having to wait for him to come here.”
Jenya will have to return with the other children on Aug. 22. The Ohlssons are unsure if they’ll adopt.
But with Kidsave, 95 percent of all kids participating in the six-week stay find permanent families.
“It’s definitely a blessing to see the Lord work on all the children here. They are all real sweet kids,” Joy said.
To learn more about the Kidsave International, visit www.kidsave.org.