Operation Orphan No More: Parents United for Russian Orphans

I know I have neglected this blog for far too long.

I have been actively working with Russian activist and have been active

on FB but my heart has not been into blogging.

I went back with a group of moms to DC again in October.

They had pretty much forgotten about us and were amazed there was anyone

remaining who still wished to adopt the child they met in Russia.

As far as we can tell from the information we have gathered approximately

30 children who met families still remain in orphanages 2 years later.

There are approximately 30 more who had been given to families

as referrals that still remain on the database too.

We once again talked to them about ways they could help

make things better for the children who had already been adopted from Russia

so that the Russian government might consider allowing those stuck in the pipeline

to still be adopted.

Like usual they put the blame on the Russian Government as being uncooperative

and then talk about how things are very strained with Russia right now

so they basically have no hope of things changing.

We continue to work with groups in Russia that help

families stay together instead of putting their children in orphanages

and with journalist who help the orphans with special needs find homes.

There have been a small number of successes and we rejoice when this happens.

We also join our Russian friends with their frustration about propaganda that tries to claim

there are less orphans now since the ban and that there is a waiting list of families

trying to adopt.

That is why together we have created Parents United for Russian Orphans.

Our goal is for people around the world to come together to help the children stuck in Russian orphanages by providing information and supporting groups that help the children have better lives. We are begging the Russian government to bring about change for the better and continue to ask them to work with our government to allow the remaining pipeline children to come home. If this is not possible, we pray the children will speedily find loving homes in Russia and that the government will provide the necessary support system for them.

In honor of Natasha's 9th birthday and the 2 year anniversary of the adoption ban please join together with us to get 10,000 likes on the Parents United for Russian Orphans FB page by the end of the year.
https://www.facebook.com/parentsunitedforrussianorphans

Natasha was only 6 years old when we met her and agreed to adopt her. She has spent an extra 2 1/2 years in an orphanage because of the adoption ban and most likely will spend the rest of her life without ever knowing the love of a family if changes are not made.

We also have a blog and this beautifully written article by Russian journalist and volunteer for Downside Up Julia Kolesnickenko that has links to our documentary that will be shown in Russia on December 13th. We are praying someone in Russia that can help the children will see it

and soften their hearts to do so.

http://parentsunitedforrussianorphans.blogspot.com/

Here is the direct link to the trailer of the documentary.

It is in Russian and English with subtitles.

It will be in film festivals around the world in 2015.