One of the 1st things that I thought about was that I could sponsor another child! It was something I had thought about a lot for a long time, but my work situation always put me off as I couldn't guarantee I would be in work long term. So I started to look around. I had a look on the World Vision website, but something told me not to jump in straight away. Even though my wages were going up, this also meant my outgoings would go up, so I was a bit wary about another sponsorship with a large organisation. My parents opinion hadn't really changed either, so I had a think about it. I only knew about World Vision and Compassion, so I decided to look around a bit. Via facebook and forums, I discovered a lot of new organisations. One thing I really wanted from my sponsorships was more photos of my kids. I found it difficult waiting between 1 & 2 years for updated photos.
Therefore, you can imagine I was interested when I came across an organisation where every letter you send, you get a photo of your child holding it.
Antares Foundation works within 3 (2 at the time I sponsored) orphanages in the north of Kazakhstan. The kids basic needs are met as the orphanages are government run, therefore the cost of sponsoring is very low in comparison to larger organisations. The main aim of the sponsorship programme is mentorship and to show the kids that someone cares for them. They can be in the orphanages for many reasons. For example, some parents cannot afford education, some have been abandoned or removed from the home due to alcohol, drugs etc, and some have lost their parents through death. These kids have been through traumatic times & often feel lost & alone. It's so important for them to feel wanted.
After speaking to sponsors & researching, I decided to take the leap & email the sponsorship coordinator. She responded to me with the waiting children and I made 7 year old Tolya my 2nd sponsored child!
Very quickly, I knew that I made the right call in choosing Antares. Because the organisation is small, letters are delivered quickly, and therefore plenty of photos! I feel a real closeness with the kids there. Over time as I've got more involved, I've also developed good relationships with the coordinators. I'd say most sponsors have "their organisation". One that they just feel is best suited to them, and for me that's Antares.
Over time, I added more kids. A few have been adopted on the way, which is of course fantastic! I'd like to introduce you to the kids I'm currently sponsoring there. I have 9 kids, 7 in one orphanage & 1 each in the other 2.
Roma was my 2nd child with Antares. He was put on the facebook page as a "featured unsponsored child." I was drawn to him & after a few weeks when he was still available, I knew he was meant to be mine.
Maksim and Vova are brothers living in RBS orphanage together. I was looking to add a new child and came out with 2, as they like to keep siblings sponsored together where possible.
A couple of years after I started sponsoring with Antares, they added a sponsorship programme at Poludino orphanage, which houses the younger kids. Maksim and Vova had a little brother there named Fedya, so naturally, I had to sponsor him! Fedya has problems with his eyes, he is mostly blind and has had 2 operations on them. I can't imagine how scary it must be for a child to go through surgery without having parents there to comfort them. It makes me so sad.
After a while without adding any new children, I felt I was ready to commit to another, and the Kazakhstan coordinator suggested that Danil and I would be a good match, so I trusted her and added Danil!
Similar to with Danil, I was looking to sponsor a new child and Kolya was suggested to me. He was described as a shy boy who would love a sponsor, I was all too happy to take that title!
I received an email one day from the sponsorship coordinator asking if I would like to sponsor Masha. Masha is Roma's sister, she had just lost her sponsor, and since I sponsored her brother, I was offered her 1st. Of course, I couldn't say no!
There's something that I haven't yet mentioned on my blog, although if you know me I'm sure you'll already know all about it! In August 2017 I travelled to Kazakhstan as an Antares volunteer and met all the children in all 3 orphanages! It was the most amazing experience, and as I know from other sponsors who go on these types of trips, it's fairly common to come home with a new child! I joined this group and sponsored Maxim at Sokolovka (where I didn't have any children before.)
And there you have it! My 9 kids in Kazakhstan. My trip there was very special & my next blog post will be all about that. I'm guessing I'll need more than 1 as I have a lot to say about it!
No comments:
Post a Comment