Plevan

Everyone now knows about the Nazi atrocities during WWII.  However, before the US was bombed at Pearl Harbor, the vast majority of American citizens either remained uninformed or just plain didn't care what Hitler did to the Jews, Gypsies, the handicapped and all his other "undesirables". History is now repeating itself. In many places around the world today children are being starved, locked away and ignored all because they are not "perfect" in the eyes of the society that they live in.

The idea that we as Americans have of orphanages is just not reality. When we see Little Orphan Annie we think of a nice old house fillled with lots of kids, maybe not the best way to grow up but certainly not the worst. The reality is much different. While no orphanage is a good place and most are not even mediocre, there are some that rise to the level of a Nazi concentration camp. One such place is a particular orphanage in Eastern Europe. Children there with such disabilities as Downs Syndrome and cerebral palsy are literally starved to death. They are given a mixture of water and another substance in old beer bottles with rubber nipples placed over the top and large holes cut in them where the mixture is forced down the kids throats. None of the kids are given solid foods and none know how to chew because of that. There are just a couple of staff on the weekends to care for 240 children. Consequently, the childrens diapers are not changed and many times they are not fed. The government has been made aware and is taking some steps to correct the situation but because of the limited funds and the condition of the children, they need help.

Several families are working to adopt or have adopted from this orphanage. The story of three little girls can be read about in their mothers blogs. To read Katies story: www.theblessingofverity.blogspot.com . Katie was 9 years old when her family adopted her. She weighed just 10 pounds. To read Faiths story: www.nogreaterjoymom.blogspot.com Faith is still in Plevan and at 14 years old weighs just 14 pounds. Her family is wrking quickly to get her home. To read Carringtons story www.carringtonscourage.com Carrington arrived home last March weighing just 11 pounds at 3 years old. After only a year at home with her family, she weighs 26 pounds and is sitting up and crawling. Please, please take the time to read these girls stories and see their pictures of what they looked like before and after and what difference a family can make.

I will be doing a fundraiser to raise money to help with several projects being started in this orphanage. One of the programs is sort of a "foster grandparent" program where several of the children will have their own "babba" who will come daily to hold, talk to and play with that child. Another necessity is for nursing staff to be added. These children are so malnourished that they must be carefully fed or risk having their little bodies shut down if they're given too many calories all at once. The kids need special formula for the same reason. Please add any comments on faundraisers that you have....I'm open to all suggestions! I have been thinking of doing a yard sale so if I do I will happily take donations from all of you who live in Northwest Indiana! Please pray for these kids!