This is an example of the lovely streets of Odessa...
This is the lovely fresh fish found in the local convenience store.... mmm, how convenient...
All they actually sold was uncovered fish and vodka. Well, what more is there to life?
So what I'm trying to say is:
Odessa is the most dreary place I've ever been. The shops are old, pavements broken and poverty has permeated every street.
BUT
...then there's Tikva
.. A ray of beauty and hope amidst a country of people who don't smile from one year to the next...
Tikva provides warm beds...
...opportunities to express yourself through art, music, religion, games and academics...
We lit Chanuka candles with the Tikva boys, and sang songs, danced and held hands. It was magical...
One of the girls drew me a beautiful picture... when she gave it to me I think I might have melted inside...
First we went to the infants home where there were loads of energetic children running around, wanted to be spun and lifted and danced with... and the whole group just went crazy giving them exactly what they wanted...
The we went to the older boys, and payed games like poker, connect four, ping pong... and I confess to being beaten at chess - twice - by a 10 year old... (don't tell anyone..)
Then we went back to the infants and they sang songs and put on a play for us!! It was possibly the cutest thing I've seen in my life thus far...
Everthing seemed positive, cute and normal... untill we saw the "home" where one of the young boys was saved from...
Our group went walking into the freezing night, deep into a forgotten dump in Odessa, where wild dogs barked and howled in the haunting chill of the night.
We were allowed to go to this poverty stricken womans' place-of-dwelling, in exchange for a bag of food. No pride, no privacy, just pure desperation.
When we got there..
The mother was drunk, living with her daughter and her mother. The alcohol is their only way to survive in the freezing cold... It was -5 degrees and they had no heating...
they had no front door...
they had no running water...
they had no electricity, which means no light...
They had no flush on their outside "toilet" it S_T_A_N_K...
Their living conditions are beyond comprehension, especially when you take into account the cold, the wold dogs and the total lack of amenities like a shower, light or stove.
This young boy that is now living in Tikva's care may not have survived. If he had have, he would most certainly have turned to crime, alcoholism and drugs, and be stuck in the endless cycle of poverty.
Now this boy can smile in the warmth of Tikvas love, surrounded by people who care...
During the trip, I encountered two very inspirational people, who are the backbone behind the strength of giving at Tikva.
Ayalla...
and Michael...
May we merit to be as inspirational, giving and true as they are.
When we were eating Friday night dinner, I was saw next to a lovely girl called Martha-Rachel. We got speaking and kindled a beautiful friendship that, despite the distance, will hopefully last the test of time. I hope that one day, she will be able to fly to London, and I can show her the same hospitality that she welcomed me to Tikva with...
We all spent some time in the classrooms, teaching either arts and crafts or English. I chose English (finally a use for my degree!) and had an amazing time teaching animals and body parts to the amazing kids in the photo...
We then played hangman with English words... and everyone was suprisingly good!! Her word was "Disneyland"....
Although one adorable boy began his word... it had 5 letters....
Any guesses??
...
NO..?
Come on.......?
Oh wait...
He spelled it wrong..haha OOOPsssss.. veryyy cute.
But what a beautiful opportunity for his frand, I mean friend, to come up and help him :)
I actually think I want to work as an English teacher in an orphanage now!!!
SO... All in all it was a beautiful, eye opening, touching, inspiring experience and the kids I met and the hearts I touched will always have a special place in my heart...
And I can speak for everyone else when I say that Tikva really touched our hearts...
Also, a massive shout to the one, the only, Rabbi Dov Cowen.. what a legend...
and the one and only Rabbi Avi Hill, who has the biggest heart around...
A huge thank you to the GENESIS-CHALLENGE for enabling this incredible experience, and most of all TIKVA and all their amazing kids for being the amazing experience!
Thank you so much for taking the time to view this and for all generous donations!
Please visit www.justgiving.com/lauren-lindsey
and help to keep the amazing work of Tikva going!!!!
With love x
