Next month, I am headed to Ukraine with a team of 4 other therapists to work in 2 orphanages and a neonatal intensive care unit. Three of the women I am traveling with (Amanda, Karen, and Kym) have a very special connection with one of the orphanages where we will be working. They have all adopted children with special needs from this orphanage and have served the children and caregivers on a similar trip to the one we are about to take.
Amanda, Karen, and Kym traveled to Ukraine to serve the week before my interview with Children's Therapy TEAM. The day I was interviewed, I remember talking to Kym about their trip. As she talked about their time there with the children, tears filled her eyes. I could sense her deep love and special passion for working with children with special needs...both in Fayetteville and across the world :) I hoped with all of my being that this was where God was leading me to start a career, to be able to work alongside such incredible women with hearts to serve and love. That day, I secretly REALLY hoped that I would be able to travel with them to the orphanages in Ukraine one day...even though I didn't even know at that time if I was even hired yet. :)
Well, I'm finally able to go! I will be traveling with Amanda, Karen, Kym, and a speech therapist Carmen. We have been asked to provide education to the caregivers and doctors and to demonstrate therapeutic techniques with the children. In addition to that, we get to play with the kids...yay!! We are also collecting some equipment and toys to give to the orphanage.
Please pray that God would work through us during our time there and that we would rely on His strength.
If you are interested in partnering with us to make this a special visit, here is a list of items we are collecting...
Exercise/Therapy Balls* All different sizes: 45cm, 65cm, 75cm, peanuts* These can be purchased at Wal-mart, Target, etc.* Also available at various websites such as www.isokineticsinc.com ~ Caddo brand seems to bethe most reasonably priced
Basic Hardback/Board Pictures Books* Simple pictures of basic objects, animals, numbers, colors, and shapes. Minimal words as it will have to be translated to Russian.
Pacifiers and Teethers* A variety, must be able to sanitized and must be in original package.
Children’s Music CD’s and DVD’s* Instrumental music and Baby Einstein type DVDs.
Flashcards* Simple pictures of colors, numbers, shapes, animals, and basic objects. No alphabet please.
Crib Mirrors* Unbreakable with washable surfaces.
Small Toys* Minimal batteries, washable surfaces that can be sanitized.*Rattles, crackly toys, noise makers, stackers, shape sorters, nesting blocks, pop beads. More examples at http://funandfunction.com/infant-early-learningc-7_29.html
Therapy Equipment* Seating systems, positioning, medical equipment, sensory integration tools, adaptive feeding supplies, and orthotic equipment will be purchased with any monetary donations.
Monetary Donations*Any monetary contributions are 100% tax deductible.* Please make checks out to New Heights Church with “Ukraine Therapy Trip” in the memo.
Donations may be mailed or delivered to:Children’s Therapy TEAM - 2474 E. Joyce, Blvd., STE #2 - Fayetteville, AR 72703
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
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