 April
2007
We became acquainted with Vova through a Russian friend
living in South County. She was once a teacher at a special
needs orphanage in St. Petersburg. At that time Vova was 13
years old and available to matched for adoption. We tried to
adopt Vova but during that time there were changes in the
adoption law in Russia and very few American adoption agencies
were approved to facilitate adoptions. As time passed and Vova
eventually aged out of the legal adoption age we continue to
keep in contact. We were able to meet with Vova in person during
our visits to Russia while adopting Sergei and Alex. Vova was a
quiet and polite young man who seemed lost without the support
of the orphanage or family members. It is very difficult for
young adults in Russia who have aged out of the orphanage system
with little or no education or vocational training. We now keep
in contact with Vova through e-mail and hope that we can support
him in some way as he makes his way through life.
 |