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changed lives
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Home > Changed Lives > Ukraine Stories > Are You Aware...
Are You Aware... ...of the cycle of hopelessness in the lives of orphans? By the time they have aged out of the orphanage, more than half of them will turn to drugs, prostitution, or suicide. Without a good solution, the problem persists with orphans creating more orphans. At Lifesong, with God’s help, we are intent on changing that statistic to one that gives hope: Orphans mentoring orphans. Lifesong currently has 15 young adults living in our transition home in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with more than 20 children spending their weekends there. By summer, there will be 15 new residents living there full time. The weekend programs are special. It is similar to a big brother/big sister program, but the unique thing is that these “big brothers” are orphans themselves. This enables them to relate to those still living in the orphanage because they have walked in the same shoes. These weekends provide special bonding times by playing games (ping pong, air hockey, etc), having Bible studies, making meals together, and mentoring. The relationships go beyond friendship; they become family, having someone to be accountable to, someone to care. With Christian orphans mentoring orphans, the statistics will change. By God’s grace, these children will find belonging in the transition homes and more importantly, in the family of God.
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