Katya’s First Day in School Became a Happy One!
Seven year-old Katya and her younger sister had been in an orphanage until recently. Their mother had been an alcoholic but is now sober after completing our rehabilitation program!
The girls were reunited with their mother and are living with her in one of our shelter homes. Soon the family will move into a home we have renovated for them. In September we equipped Katya for the first grade.
She was both excited and timid about going to school, but she was so happy her mother was there to escort her.
Katya’s mother, Nadya, first came to our rehabilitation home when Katya was one year old and her little sister was a newborn. Nadya overcame her drug addiction and was able to obtain a dormitory room in the city through the government’s family aid program. She attended the church. We helped her start an independent life and find a job.
Nadya desired that the children grow up with their father as well. She contacted her partner from whom she had been separated. He moved in with the family, but only trouble came of it.
Work around the clock
The man wasn’t looking for a job, claiming his lack of identity documents as the reason. However, he didn’t do anything to help acquire the papers, either.
The burden of the family’s livelihood was heaped upon Nadya’s shoulders. While the girls were in preschool, she washed dishes in a diner and cleaned a school in the evenings. When she came home exhausted, she fed the family.
Both daughters were lagging behind normal development. Nadya took them to doctor appointments, speech therapy, and a psychologist. To afford these service fees, she took a weekend job and could no longer attend the church.
In bondage to alcohol
Nadya lost so much weight that we barely recognized her when we saw her. Her partner didn’t share any responsibility; he was idle at home and drank. Eventually the overburdened mother succumbed to alcoholism.
When both of Nadya’s jobs were closed due to the pandemic, her drinking got out of control. We invited her to our center again, but she wasn’t willing to come.
Life restored at the rehabilitation center
Finally, just a few months ago, Nadya contacted us herself and came to rehabilitation alone. She had been fired from her jobs for drinking, so childcare authorities took the girls into custody and placed them in an orphanage.
At our center, Nadya quickly got back on her feet and quit drinking. Our team took measures to have her children returned to her. A month later it was a day of joy when the girls were reunited with their mother!
The girls’ father moved into a homeless shelter where his papers will be retrieved. The couple has separated permanently. Nadya wants to start a new life without her alcoholic partner.
The family’s apartment was in dire condition. We thoroughly disinfected it and are making necessary renovations in order that Nadya and her girls can return to a clean home.
“This shelter home is like family to me. I wanted to come here earlier, but I was ashamed for having fallen back into substance abuse.”
Nadya’s relationship with God was restored
Before her serious problems began, Nadya had read Bible stories to her children and taught them to pray. “We always prayed together at home before Mom started drinking,” they recalled. Nadya and her girls now participate gladly in the devotions at the rehabilitation center.
In September, Katya started first grade. Her mother took her to school and was present for the opening celebration. The younger sister is now in kindergarten.
With their therapy continuing, the girls are projected to catch up to their peers by age 12. Nadya closely follows the therapists’ instructions.
She truly loves her children and raises them patiently and gently.
