Operation Chance…

In 2008 Elena made a unique request of BRAFF: Could we help three precious children living at Malyeshok who were designated to be sent to the orphanage Byangol if they were not adopted soon. Byangol is an orphanage in northern Siberia that houses approx 300 severely disabled orphan childen. One half of the kids are bed ridden and incapable of caring and feeding themselves. This is the last stop for these children, there is no hope of ever leaving Byangol once you are sent there. There are no therapies, no education, or hope. It is the grimmest facility Diane snd Andrei have ever seen. Elena cares so deeply for the children under her care at Malyeshok that she coud not sit idly and let these three childen who are in perfect mental health but have physical disabilities that effect their ability to communicate.

      Kristna is a 4 year old girl who they estimate has 10% of her hearing.

      Sasha is a 5 year old boy who is deaf and mute.

      Anna is a 7 year old girl who was born cleft lip and palate. Because she is unrepaired palate she does not speak very well.

BRAFF obtained visas for the three children and lined up doctors in America who would give us an opinion on the childrens' medical conditions and potentials. Our ultimate goal was to find families for these three children where they could receive the medical care to reach their fullest potential.  

During the next months that ensued BRAFF worked tirelessly to try to locate families that might be interested in meeting the children when they came. 

Our prayers were answered beyond our hopes when we found families for all of the children! A young  couple in southern Illinois who have a lot of experience with hearing  issues have almost competed the process to adopt Kristina AND Sasha.! While a family in Wisconsin is pursuing the adoption of Anna..they have six children already!

Russia is one of the most expensive countries to adopt from and these will requires two trips to Ulan Ude. Both families have requested that we use the funds raised to bring the children here to be put toward the ADOPTION COSTS. All Opertion Chance Funds were divided in three and distributed to the families.

I personally feel that this is one fo BRAFF’s finer moments!

Photos::

1- Here is Kim with the three children at Malyeshok.

2- Anna looks at the picture book of her new family with Julia.