Valerie Cousins is fundraising for Leaves of Hope

Vova Appeal

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Raising money for

Leaves of Hope

Charity Registration No. 1077872

It works with children in Belarus, preventing them from being abandoned and improving the environment in orphanages for those who have been abandoned. It also works with disaffected youth in Britain, involving them in the refurbishment projects and giving them a greater understanding of the world in relation to their own environment and needs. The 'Belarus Experience' empowers young people to believe in them selves and have pride in what they have achieved by helping those less fortunate than themselves.

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Valerie Cousins

Page closes

31/12/2008

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Raised: 15%

Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £753.50

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My story

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor Vova online.

Vova was born very prematurely and with a serious digestive problem and his mother, who is an alcoholic, abandoned him at the hospital.

Vova is now just 4 years old. I first met him in the summer of 2004 at the abandoned babies’ ward in Borovliani Hospital . I was particularly drawn to Vova because, unlike the other babies in the ward who were clamouring for the attention of visitors, he was quiet and expressionless in his cot and ignored all the noise around him. He looked so isolated and sad and seemed to have given up on life. I picked him up and started playing tickling games with him and there was a miraculous transformation. He became animated, giggly and responsive. It was as though he had been ‘switched on’. Spending 24 hours a day in a cot, enclosed by bars like a cage, with no stimulation, cuddles or loving physical contact was slowly killing Vova emotionally.

I felt I had to keep in touch with him on my visits and let him know that someone cared.

In November 2004, after 22 months in a cot, Vova was moved to an orphanage. Since that time he has been moved a further 4 times either within the orphanage to different groups or between orphanages. This must have just added to his insecurity and confusion and affected his development. Vova is undersized, has no speech, immature mobility and we believe he is also deaf.

Whenever I go to I visit Vova. The orphanage staff express surprise that I want to see him when he is “just a cabbage and there are many more appealing children there”. So, why do I want to continue my involvement with Vova? Who can really explain the chemistry in a relationship? I love him. And I see such a change in him when he sees me, such an enthusiastic response to the attention given to him. I see such potential which I know will not be nurtured by those who see him as a “cabbage”. I want Vova to grow up knowing that someone loved and cared for him and that he is valued.

We hope soon to find a foster family for Vova who will give him a future. Then some of his disabilities can be assessed and helped. All this, of course will cost money.

In the meantime Vova’s current orphanage has asked for help in supplying nappies for him as he is still not clean or dry. Responding to this appeal keeps the door open for us to continue to visit him at a time when many orphanages are becoming “closed” to visitors.

Any help you are able to give for both the current and future needs of Vova will be greatly appreciated and will be wisely used.

Thankyou.

Barbara Messenger

NB. £10 will buy approximately 70 nappies in this is infinitely cheaper than the cost of transporting them from .

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: 'Leaves of Hope' for Belarusian Children will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

	A Christmas gift from my friend Carol. Donation by Barbara Messenger 25/12/08	£15.00
	A gift from my daughter, Clare. Donation by Barbara Messenger 12/08/08	£10.00
	Sent with love Donation by Anne P 04/08/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	A gift from Rachel and Bob Metcalf Donation by Barbara Messenger 04/08/08	£33.50
	A donation from my Russian teacher Elena Diakova Binet Donation by Barbara Messenger 26/05/08	£20.00
	Hoping you will soon have a family to love and care for you Donation by Anne P 09/03/08	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Agift from a friend Carol Collins Donation by Barbara Messenger 08/03/08	£10.00
	A mother's day gift from Clare Donation by Barbara Messenger 08/03/08	£20.00
	Donation by Paul & Barbara 14/10/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck with the rest of the appeal Donation by chris dade 27/08/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by Paul Messenger 02/07/07	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	from a windfall Donation by colin bott 27/06/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	The time you give that's the greatest gift - keep it going! Donation by Mike Hockings 23/05/07	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Donation from Bernadette Daley-thanks, Bernie. Donation by Barbara Messenger 02/04/07	£25.00
	Collected at talk to WI Donation by Barbara Messenger 14/03/07	£45.00
	Donation by Paul Messenger 14/03/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	I hope this gives a kick-start to the appeal. Donation by Barbara Messenger 12/03/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£453.50
Offline donations:	£300.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£77.56

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