Sofia was an orphan with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe and now has a forever family.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A Girl from Baby House 1

I'm in the process of reading a really intense and all too familiar book called "The Boy from Baby House 10". Within the first few pages of this memoir about a boy from an orphanage in Russia, I knew that it was going to be difficult to read especially since so much of those first few pages remind me exactly of what I've witnessed in Sofia's orphanage here in Ukraine.

Sofia is in what is officially called Baby House 1. Luckily, the director here at this orphanage really does care for the children so they are renovating the orphanage and most recently got new insulated windows so that it stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Yesterday, we cashed Sofia's bank account that had about $1800 in it and we donated it back to the orphanage to help with renovations. It is customary to do this and we were so happy to do it. We hope this money will make even more improvements to the conditions inside the orphanage at Baby House 1.

We also found out that all babies in Baby House 1 are baptized usually before they turn 1. We received a copy of her Baptism and a small angel prayer card and a cross on a chain. Sofia was baptized on February 18th of this year, just a few days before her first birthday. What a blessing.

Starting tomorrow, the girl from Baby House 1 will no longer be. She will be Sofia from Sacramento, California!

16 comments:

  1. That's what it's all about! She will be part of a family....it's a beautiful thing :)

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  2. Brings tears to my eyes. So wonderful!

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  3. awwwwwwwww....Sweet Sofia from Sacramento...that gives me chills!!!
    Sunnie in NC

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  4. tears in my eyes! that is so nice of you guys to donate the money back to sofia's baby house/orphanage to help w/ the renovations! i am so happy she was in a caring environment and i can only imagine how much she is going to grow when she gets home with her FAMILY!!!

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  5. how exiciteing can not wait to see pics of her with her brothers

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  6. Can't wait to meet Sofia from Sacramento!

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  7. It is really a fantastic thing when you think about it: an orphan with DS in Ukraine becoming part of an American family. I guess that in some aspects the world does move forward :) Sofia is a very lucky girl, and judging by your words and photos (the latter sadly missed, but I'm sure we will all wait it out!) you are very lucky parents as well!

    Thank you so much for your update on Leeza in your last post. My heart aches for that little one...

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  8. How special to be able to receive such great treasures of her past for her as she embarks on a new beginning with your family, her new forever family.

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  9. I want to read that book also. Wow, Ivan is going to have a ton of money to donate then. More motivation for them to hold on to him and not transfer him to the internat! So excited about Sacramento Sofia!

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  10. Oh this makes my heart melt... :-)

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  11. Wow! That sounds so good...Sofia from Sacramento, California. Bet you're over-the-moon excited!

    Blessings,
    Barbara

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  12. I have read the book you are speaking about.
    I think everyone should read this.
    My wife knows a person who is friends with the family of the boy in this book.
    We are hopeful to meet him in the next couple of months.

    I pray that the remainder of your time over seas will be uneventful and you can return to your home quickly.

    My wife, my kids, and I are hoping we will be able to bring our new daughter home by 4th of July.

    God Bless you and your family!

    Ken

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  13. love this post. baptism is an amazing gift. sofia is truly a daughter of god. got to say hi to mateo today -- we bumped into him on his fairytale town playdate. he looked like he was having fun = )

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  14. Sophia from Sacramento will have to meet Alyona from Laguna Hills, California once we bring her home!

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