Blair's Life: The Kids Rehab Centre

Compared to the 1st few weeks here this past week and a half has been fairly quiet. The Shelter Plus programmes are now finished until October and I have mostly been playing catch up with a bunch of stuff. Then I twisted my knee on the way home from church Sunday and spent a couple of days with my leg up. So I'm not getting around a lot yet but it's getting better each day. I got to go with Lena T. to her Saturday programme at the kids rehab centre where we had a Bible lesson, craft time, snacks and quality time with the kids.

To refresh your memories, the kids rehab centre (which is also known as the boys rehab centre, even though they also have girls now) is for kids who have a parent(s) with alcohol or drug problems which ends up in the kids having a horrible home life. The kids are brought to the centre by the state for a 9 month programme where they are given support counselling and are shown a loving environment to help build them up as individuals. Right now there are around 40 kids there, almost double from last summer. With the exception of 1 or 2 it is a whole new group of kids. The director told me that all of them will not be going back to their families. They will be transferred to orphanages with the exception of 5 boys who will be put into foster families. So needless to say they need to see as much love as possible after the things they have gone through. Every one of these kids are amazing and they get so excited when they see Lena come through the gates.

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry I wanted to take these kids to McDonald's. In North America we take for granted that we can go there whenever we want. The kids here can only dream of this as they just simply do not have the means to do it and it is a HUGE deal to them and McJoyful Christmas is still a few months away. Well, today was the day we went and what a fun day it was. The manager at the multiplex theatre gives the kids free admission to the movies, so we combined things and made it a McDonald's and movie day as McDonald's is just downstairs from the theatre.

I can't say enough how much I appreciate the McDonald's restaurants in Ukraine. It's not that I've had bad experiences at McDonald's in North America, it's just that after seeing the staff in action at different restaurants with various groups over the last 2 years, the level of professionalism seems to be so much higher here in Ukraine. The employees are so quick, efficient and have always treated us so well, thinking of little details that I always forget - like getting 40 plus balloons ready in a hurry and handing them out without even being asked. Now, if they would just bring A&W to Ukraine so I can have a Papa burger with cheese, onion rings, a frosty mug of root beer...oh...sorry...I'm digressing.

I want to give a big THANK YOU to those of you who gave me donations while I was in Canada that enabled me to pull this off. The rehab director said that the kids will remember this for a long time. I'll let the photos speak for themselves. As the kids are going to camp this weekend, and since I came in under budget, I was also able to sponsor some much needed sandals and swimsuits for the kids.

I am also still wanting to raise money to sponsor more picnics for the folks at Boorie Ooglie disabled home this summer. I want them to get out of that place as often as possible and get some decent meals. If you would like to help me do that or to help with other activities please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line. You can also mail a donation to the new address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com. Please remember to specify that your donation is for me and where you may want me to direct your gift. You can also arrange monthly donations through LinK 127. Canadian donations are tax deductible (but not those by e-transfer) and every dollar counts towards showing love to those who really need to see it.

Again, thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart. Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

833 Canaan Mountain Road
Kentville, NS
Canada B4N 4K1