081130OCT2007
Just returned from orphanage where we had a tour by Dr. Irina the Director of the orphanage. The tour took about an hour. We visited each department of the orphanage, which is divided by phase, age or function. The level of organization is very good. From quarantine where children are held for 22 days upon intake to the indoor pool where the older children are able to swim to develop strength and motor skills they have given great thought and care to the entire process.
One thing that impressed me was the use of natural or homeopathic remedies for treatment of nearly everything. This is in contrast to American medicine, which tends to lean heavily on pharmaceuticals to cure everything. There was a room that has salt air for the treatment of upper respiratory infections, a masseuse that does massage therapy, some kind of machine that uses ultraviolet light to treat respiratory infection, and a room that has humidified air called “the Mountain Air Room” for the same purpose.
There are some children around with blue stuff spotting their skin and mouths. When I asked about it they said it was some kind of natural remedy to help with infections. I think here they are at the edge of science but they are very innovative and I guess the don’t have the same availability of medicines that we do so they will try all kinds of things we would swear was voodoo. I guess there’s no money for Pfizer if we figured out we can treat something with an extract from a certain kind of berry or something.
The diet is heavy on natural, organic fruits and vegetables. Alexei is fed by spoon and not by bottle at 6 months! He even drinks his juice out of a shot glass and not a bottle or sippy cup. The boys eats like a horse…not horse…like a horse. He really swallowed up a pile of food today as Bonnie was shoveling away.
He is very alert, looking about at everything. He recognizes faces and smiles like a clown. Big ear to ear grins. He has a good grip and is vocal.
On our tour we saw children divided into age groups with the oldest being 3yrs. They are adorable…bundled up and toddling about outside the orphanage, following one another like a gaggle of young geese. They all come up to you and today I was called Papa by about 20 kids. One almost senses that they know why we are here and are trying to say “pick me, pick me.”
In one room we visited intake where a young extremely attractive mother was coming to grips with having to give up her child for one reason or another. There is a group of children that are of mixed age that are not available for adoption where mothers without means can leave their children and if they get the affairs sorted out later can come and pick them up again. This was something that really surprised me but that I felt was a good idea. Sometimes mothers, especially young single ones, are kicked to the curb or are not yet ready to rear a child but they are close enough that in some time they will be. This program affords them the chance to recover from their circumstances and reclaim their child.
Obviously this woman was very distraught and I was quite surprised that they allowed us to be present at such an intimate moment. After some consideration though I realized that maybe it was good that the mother realize the reality of where she was and what she was about to do. This not only makes her think carefully about her decision but also discourages mothers with the means but not the commitment from giving over their child.
Construction methods are primitive compared to the U.S. I wonder about the lead content in paints, etc. But they are improving and expanding to the best of their ability and means. A lot of what I saw would never meet code in the U.S. We really do have superior building standards. Even the hotel we are staying in, which is only a year old has a punch list a mile long.
Either the building inspectors are paid off or they don’t have building inspectors to enforce the code, or there is no code to enforce. In any case they would never get the certificate of occupancy required in the U.S.
1700hrs
This afternoon we met Olyessa for lunch and went to a local café. The food was out of this world. I had a vegetable soup with pork something or other and a salmon steak that rivaled any I have ever had at home. Apparently salmon, or “SYOM-ga” in Russian is plentiful in Russia and a common fish dish.
Afterward we did some more walking about town and stopped at a bank to convert some money and then went shopping at “Gros” the local market for some more food to keep at our room. This is the same store where I was reprimanded our first day for taking a picture in the store by a very firm Asian girl of about 22 yrs. I mean really…it’s a freakin’ grocery store for God’s sake. What could I possibly be doing that is of any harm by taking a picture of vegetables or cookies?
I think we’re gonna hang out in our room tonight and try to get ourselves acclimated. We are both still suffering from a touch of jet lag. Last night I woke at about 4AM and quietly rolled over to find Bonnie staring at me as she said “I’m wide awake” to which I responded “me too!” It takes a few days and we have been going non-stop since we arrived.
Tomorrow is our medical interview where we meet with the pediatrician to discuss all things medical. Can’t wait.
Just returned from orphanage where we had a tour by Dr. Irina the Director of the orphanage. The tour took about an hour. We visited each department of the orphanage, which is divided by phase, age or function. The level of organization is very good. From quarantine where children are held for 22 days upon intake to the indoor pool where the older children are able to swim to develop strength and motor skills they have given great thought and care to the entire process.
One thing that impressed me was the use of natural or homeopathic remedies for treatment of nearly everything. This is in contrast to American medicine, which tends to lean heavily on pharmaceuticals to cure everything. There was a room that has salt air for the treatment of upper respiratory infections, a masseuse that does massage therapy, some kind of machine that uses ultraviolet light to treat respiratory infection, and a room that has humidified air called “the Mountain Air Room” for the same purpose.
There are some children around with blue stuff spotting their skin and mouths. When I asked about it they said it was some kind of natural remedy to help with infections. I think here they are at the edge of science but they are very innovative and I guess the don’t have the same availability of medicines that we do so they will try all kinds of things we would swear was voodoo. I guess there’s no money for Pfizer if we figured out we can treat something with an extract from a certain kind of berry or something.
The diet is heavy on natural, organic fruits and vegetables. Alexei is fed by spoon and not by bottle at 6 months! He even drinks his juice out of a shot glass and not a bottle or sippy cup. The boys eats like a horse…not horse…like a horse. He really swallowed up a pile of food today as Bonnie was shoveling away.
He is very alert, looking about at everything. He recognizes faces and smiles like a clown. Big ear to ear grins. He has a good grip and is vocal.
On our tour we saw children divided into age groups with the oldest being 3yrs. They are adorable…bundled up and toddling about outside the orphanage, following one another like a gaggle of young geese. They all come up to you and today I was called Papa by about 20 kids. One almost senses that they know why we are here and are trying to say “pick me, pick me.”
In one room we visited intake where a young extremely attractive mother was coming to grips with having to give up her child for one reason or another. There is a group of children that are of mixed age that are not available for adoption where mothers without means can leave their children and if they get the affairs sorted out later can come and pick them up again. This was something that really surprised me but that I felt was a good idea. Sometimes mothers, especially young single ones, are kicked to the curb or are not yet ready to rear a child but they are close enough that in some time they will be. This program affords them the chance to recover from their circumstances and reclaim their child.
Obviously this woman was very distraught and I was quite surprised that they allowed us to be present at such an intimate moment. After some consideration though I realized that maybe it was good that the mother realize the reality of where she was and what she was about to do. This not only makes her think carefully about her decision but also discourages mothers with the means but not the commitment from giving over their child.
Construction methods are primitive compared to the U.S. I wonder about the lead content in paints, etc. But they are improving and expanding to the best of their ability and means. A lot of what I saw would never meet code in the U.S. We really do have superior building standards. Even the hotel we are staying in, which is only a year old has a punch list a mile long.
Either the building inspectors are paid off or they don’t have building inspectors to enforce the code, or there is no code to enforce. In any case they would never get the certificate of occupancy required in the U.S.
1700hrs
This afternoon we met Olyessa for lunch and went to a local café. The food was out of this world. I had a vegetable soup with pork something or other and a salmon steak that rivaled any I have ever had at home. Apparently salmon, or “SYOM-ga” in Russian is plentiful in Russia and a common fish dish.
Afterward we did some more walking about town and stopped at a bank to convert some money and then went shopping at “Gros” the local market for some more food to keep at our room. This is the same store where I was reprimanded our first day for taking a picture in the store by a very firm Asian girl of about 22 yrs. I mean really…it’s a freakin’ grocery store for God’s sake. What could I possibly be doing that is of any harm by taking a picture of vegetables or cookies?
I think we’re gonna hang out in our room tonight and try to get ourselves acclimated. We are both still suffering from a touch of jet lag. Last night I woke at about 4AM and quietly rolled over to find Bonnie staring at me as she said “I’m wide awake” to which I responded “me too!” It takes a few days and we have been going non-stop since we arrived.
Tomorrow is our medical interview where we meet with the pediatrician to discuss all things medical. Can’t wait.
1 comment:
Alexei is gorgeous. I showed Trooper her new brother and then she went back to eating everybody else’s dinner. I am sorry Bonnie, but she has not eaten one bite of her own dog food since staying at the Kilpatrick zoo. I guess there are so many other options to choose from. I am so happy for both you and Jeff with the way things are going so well. Alexei is one lucky little boy to have to very devoted parents. You guys look great and I cannot wait to see more updates. Miss you and love you very much.
Love ya, Dar
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