Still, good to be done

Now in his 3rd decade of volunteer service, our dear friend Oleg Yarovenko was at it again this week.

His beloved wife Luda died less than a month ago. But Oleg was eager to travel to Kobryn, near the Polish border, to photograph this year’s graduates at the Children’s Village.

(Once again this year, as always, we hope to provide Life Starter Kits for each orphan leaving for school.)

I have always been impressed by how industrious the Belarusian people are. 

Regardless of politics, economics, war, any kind of challenge or loss, they find a way to keep working.

Oleg and our “Response of the Heart” team absolutely demonstrate this same resolve.

• Alex Kozovoy drove Oleg to this assignment, and took these photos of Oleg in action.

• Alex lost his mother, “The Great Kozovaya,” in the first wave of Covid. He still serves faithfully, in myriad ways.

• Alex’s father, also named Oleg, has continued to cover hundreds of miles on assignment for “Response of the Heart” since the loss of his wife.

• Kozovaya’s daughter Katya still handles logistics for New Thing. Kozovaya’s niece Elena still runs the Minsk office.

You see the pattern.

Even after shattering loss, we devote ourselves to the good we can do.

To our many friends on the U.S. side who have likewise faced pain and loss, yet continue helping however you can:

You inspire me. You empower our team in Belarus. You are deeply appreciated.

I’ll send you Oleg’s photos of the orphan-graduates soon!

In the meantime, thanks for journeying with New Thing.

Much love,

Doug Brendel

P.S. Some have already asked about helping this year’s graduating orphans.

A Life Starter Kit includes bedding, travel bag, kitchenware, iron, plus a laptop for those going to university.

Average cost per graduate: $498.

If you’d like to help, thank you!