The letter read:
Every child deserves a home. Currently, there are more than 120,00 children in orphanages in Ukraine. Approximately 120,000 more live on the streets. Few of these children have any chance of being adopted and most will never succeed in society after they leave the orphanage. It is estimated that 90% of the girls will turn to prostitution and over 80% of the boys will turn to gangs and a life of crime. The Ukrainian government estimates that 60% of these orphans will commit suicide within the first 5 years of independent life.
Our story began three years ago as my husband walked up the stairs of our home one night. Turning off the lights, he looked around and commented "Every night when we go to bed we leave half of this house empty. One day I think we will be held accountable for that." That is where our journey to Ukraine began. We began the process to adopt one little boy. While we were getting ready to go to Ukraine, we found a group of five sisters in need of adoption. We knew right away that these children were meant to be our daughters and off we went to bring them home.
We arrived on the very day the government had decided that the hopes of keeping them together had ended and they would all be separated. We had not seen photos of them and had little information. Upon arriving at the orphanage, I was introduced to what I fondly referred to as "my five little savages". Four of their heads had been shaved due to lice. The were malnourished and some had scabies. Their teeth were rotted. They had suffered abuse at the hands of their "parents" and even at the orphanage. My husband gathered them in his arms and said "Aren't they beautiful."
Getting them was difficult the expense was high, we have not recovered from it yet. Was it worth it? What value can you place on a life - or five? They are smart and loving and ever so grateful to be here. Recently we hosted a 9 year old boy from Ukraine. His mane is Dmytro. His story is typical for a child in an orphanage. He was beaten and burned by alcoholic parents. He was placed in a hospital, then a shelter and then an orphanage. He was sponsored by the Save a Child Foundation, to come to our home for a visit. This is how we met. He came and stayed with us for two and half weeks. He fits in great with our family. We asked him "if he would like us to adopt him?" He simply said "yes" That's all it took. Our girls were very sad for Dmytro to return to the orphanage, because they best of all knew what his life was like there.
We have five birth children and five adopted children. What in the world would cause us to adopt another child? When you look into Dymytro's eyes how could you not?
This is where we need your help. We need help in raising fiances to bring Dmytro home. Any donations are welcomed. They can add up and together we can do it. We need to raise approximately $30,000 to go and get him. We are told the doors to adopting in Ukraine are closing and time is of the essence. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
After reading this letter my heart went out to this amazing family. That is why I am doing this post and asking for help. Not all of us are able to adopt a child. Although by donating we can make it possible for others to adopt, and we can all make a difference!
Please help us get Dmytro into a good home where he can be loved and cared for.
If you are able to help out in any way you can send donations to my pay pal account karenpetersen26@hotmail.com all money will go directly to the adoption process.
Thanks for making a difference and Giving Big or Little.
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