Grandma Tanya giving a haircut
Lumiere has heard a program in Southern Russia that pairs caring adults with needy orphans. Emotional nurturing of parentless children is essential for a child's well being, and this program helps the children to receive the personal love and attention they need.
A 'grandma' is any adult involved with Mary Mother of God Mission Society Parish in Vladivostok, Russia. 'Grandpa's get involved too. They are typically parishioners who do not have full-time employment, and don't have enough pension to cover their basic living necessities such as food and shelter. This great program allow these caring adults to spend time doing something they love, while also sensibly providing a source of income for their personal needs. The parish in Vladivostok gives a Grandma $60 monthly. The Grandmas spend 48 hours per month in personal one-on-one time with the orphans.
The 'grandmas' take the children on excursions to the city, give haircuts, and spend time with the children. The 'grandpas' are a positive male role model for the children, many of whom are between the ages of 3 and 5. The children love to spend time out of doors exploring everything from parked cars to snowy hills. The orphans long for physical contact; one grandpa found it a common experience to have ten different children grabbing on to one of his fingers.
I have experienced this personally many times. Walking with orphans, the children all want to hold my hand, so often I have spread both my hands out to find myself shortly walking and trying not to bump into twenty little orphans, each one a different height, holding onto a different finger, and chattering away. What loneliness, what a need for love, each little one manifests.
The day I went into my room and cried was when I went into an Asian orphanage on one of my field trips. One of the carers told me that a little girl had not spoken a word since she had come in to the orphanage ten days before. She asked if there was anything I could do for the little girl. I said if there was, I certainly would do so. A short while later I went into the chapel, removing my shoes first in respect according to the custom of the area, to pray. A few minutes later, I heard the soft sound of hesitant feet coming towards me. I did not open my eyes, and eventually I heard a little person settle on the ground next to my feet. I still did not open my eyes, I guessed who it was. When I judged I would not frighten the little orphan, I opened my eyes and looked at her. Large eyes, tragic and sad, stared back at me. She spent a little time looking at me, then took my hand in hers and led me over to the statue of Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus. This little lady looked at me, and then said, 'mama' and mimed eyes closing, and face resting on her two little hands as if going to sleep. Then she pointed up towards the ceiling, to show her mother had gone to heaven. Then she pointed to the statue of Mary, and said, 'Mama', showing me that the only mother she now had was Mary of Nazareth in heaven to watch over her. Then she took my hand again.
I heard later she had been with her mother when her mother passed away from illness, leaving her destitute and alone at the side of the road until the Sisters had taken her in to care for her. One of the Sisters had comforted her by telling her that Mary of Nazareth would be her mother now. The sight of those sad little eyes with fathomless pain in their depths proved too much for me, and I fled to the bedroom I was using, so I could cry quietly without distressing the children. What suffering our children of the world go through. I got onto my mobile phone and rang my mom, just to hear her voice. How blessed have I been to have my parents.
Many of our Lumiere children consider me family, and have told me that my mother is their grandmother now; and my father who passed into heaven is their father too. They tell the children at school that their Didi is coming to visit them, because she loves them. From this background, I found the wonderful work of the Grandmas and Grandpas in Vladivostok inspiring. According the the pamphlet Lumiere was given, they are in urgent need of assistance.
In the spirit of Lumiere, please consider helping this worthy cause in any way you are able.
Another option is to help an orphan or street child yourself in some way. It surely will have been no accident that Divine Providence led you to read these words...
If you wish to help the work of the Grandmas and Grandpas, please find the information you will need;
Website of Grandma Mentoring Program
http://www.vladmission.org/Grandma%20Mentoring/GrandmaMentoring.htm
Donation can be made at the bottom of the above website page to;
MFP Baby Hospital #3 Vladivostok or
MFP Specialised Baby Home Ussurysk
MFP Psychneurology Baby Home Artyom
MFP Donation to any Orphanage in Need
Brian and his 'grandkids'
Photos courtesy of Grandma Mentoring Program website
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