Summer camp a 'big hit'

Posted: July 5, 2007   By: Staci Dennis

RADOMESHAL, Ukraine - To help kick off summer break, more than 170 children gathered to play games, sing songs and do arts and crafts at the Life Skills Camp in Radomeshal, a small town outside of Kiev.

But unlike other traditional summer camps, this one had a twist – all the campers were orphans.

About 25 Ukrainian and American volunteers helped lead the week-long camp, which was sponsored by Ukraine Ministries of Oklahoma and Operation Blessing.

Throughout the day, children not only participated in fun activities, but they also learned life skills and attended workshops on everything from personal hygiene to self-worth.

"I'm scared to leave," said Anya, an orphan who will graduate this year after completing the ninth grade. Anya is one of many who are aging out of orphanages and will soon be living independently in society without government or institutional support.

She, and others like her, face a challenging transition and harsh statistics where an estimated 60 percent of girls who exit orphanages turn to prostitution and possibly, drugs.

At least for the summer camp, however, Anya was able to take her mind off her pending problems and focus on having fun.

"The girls were so interested in our stories," said one volunteer from Oklahoma referring to their time of fellowship and teaching with the campers. "That was so exciting."

Another summer camp is being held in Skadovsk, located near the Black Sea. Currently there are 270 children and 35 volunteers signed up for that camp.

In addition to funding the camps, OBI is working to assist graduating orphans with transitional housing as well as securing loans to help purchase homes.