"And as to me, I know of nothing else but miracles.”
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Four months ago, six Romaniv boys were grouped together to participate in what would be the first Functional Skills Training in the history of the orphanage. Having been trapped in a world of idleness and neglect, we began teaching the boys of Romaniv with the hope of prying open the cages of their mind. Breaking new ground on something so simple, yet so unfamiliar to the boys, we integrated methods that helped teach them basic developmental and functional skills. Something as effortless as "washing hands" soon became a weekly crusade.
Four months ago, six Romaniv boys were grouped together to participate in what would be the first Functional Skills Training in the history of the orphanage. Having been trapped in a world of idleness and neglect, we began teaching the boys of Romaniv with the hope of prying open the cages of their mind. Breaking new ground on something so simple, yet so unfamiliar to the boys, we integrated methods that helped teach them basic developmental and functional skills. Something as effortless as "washing hands" soon became a weekly crusade.
At first, the boys were overwhelmed, disorganized, and undisciplined. Their reactions to each activity were primitive and unrefined - showing the clear evidence of years spent sitting in darkness. Week by week, Natasha of MTU and the nurse of the orphanage worked together to illuminate the locked rooms of their lives. With repetition and hands-on learning, the boys slowly began to learn. Though improvement was slow and basic, each lesson was a step. A step toward independence. A step toward empowerment. A step toward personal dignity.
After two months of absence from the boys, I finally returned to Romaniv last Friday to check on the lessons and to examine the effectiveness of the program. I smiled to myself as the boys filed into the room, one by one taking their seats. I was overjoyed to see them again. I watched intently as Natasha began the lesson with a prayer and a song. But as the lesson progressed I found that something was different. Something was out of place. Something was present that was not present before.
It was Sergei's words! The blonde boy who once could only babble with incomprehensible noises was now speaking meaningful Ukrainian words! "You see?", Natasha said proudly with tears in her eyes, "He speaks!".
Romaniv Orphanage is a funny thing. One second this place crushes you to pieces - and the next it creates a moment so beautiful you want to cry. And sometimes you do cry because it's the only way to react to the miracles that you are seeing before your very eyes.
Then the light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say:
Here I Am.
Isaiah 58:8-9
