In Russia people celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January but, as of tradition, they unwrap their gifts on the 31st of December, during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
The gift-exchange is a moment most of us usually spend with our families and when we were little children probably all of us wrote a letter to Santa Claus, or, as in Russia, to Ded Moroz, asking for new toys, videogames, books, roller skates. For children living in orphanages Christmas is very different and they often stop writing letters as they realize nobody will bring that gift they dreamed of.
The same happens at Bykovskiy children house. We have known the children, the young boys and girls who live there and decided to make this Christmas different.
With the great help of Tatiana, the volunteer who works everyday with them and who came in Italy last October to tell you and us their stories, we asked the children to write their letters to Ded Moroz. They sent us 36 letters, decorated with pictures and sketches. What they asked for were new winter shoes, warm coats, a suitcase full of books, hair straighteners, headphones, tablets, tracksuits, a doll house, a kick scooter. Common things many other children desire.
We searched on Russian online stores for the most nice and, at the same time, the most economical products to satisfy their desires and to make this Christmas a very special Christmas for them. We bought all 36 gifts, wrapped them and sent them to the Bykovskiy children house.
On the 31st of December the Bykovskiy children house organized a performance and party to celebrate the New Year’s Eve: Katerina, one of our contact persons in Russia, was present at the party, together with Tatiana. Children together with their educators prepared and participated in New Year’s performance, fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty”. Children and young boys and girls read poems, sang, danced, and pleased us with their talents. After all together dances near the Christmas tree. At the end of the party every boy and every girl received his/her own gift and it was very touching for our friends there to see the smiles on their faces. An happy moment to give them our best wishes for the new year and, above all, for their future.
To buy all 36 gifts we spent 134071,51 rubles, around 2130 €.
This was a “little” donation to tell these children, these young boys and girls, that we do take care of them. We take care of their desires, of their dreams, and we will work to give them a chance to make their dreams come true. What comes next, the “A door to Life” project, will not be as easy as buying 36 presents. There are several difficulties concerning the management of a guidance and tutoring service, but our commitment is great and we are sure it will be worthwhile!
Stay with us!
