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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.
