Slava (meaning "Glory")

This picture is taken while the family gathered around TV set to sing to karaoke.
Slavik loves to sing. In this picture he is waiting for his turn.


Here is his story, according to Slavik's own words. His mother worked at night and would often come home with different men. One night she did not come back. Slavik continued living at home with two other men whom once his Mom brought. Slavik called them 'stepfathers'. As far as we know they were quite good to him, took care, fed him and even taught how to read. Then they brought their own women (whom Slavik would call 'stepmothers') and came to a point when they couldn't be raising this child. After all, he wasn't related to them in any way. He did not belong there. That's when they brought him to the orphan shelter. All the social workers liked Slavik a lot. He was a very interesting, polite, curious boy, not like the others who behaved like frightened wild animals. He read a lot. Since there were not much books in this shelter, Slavik chose the geography atlas for 7th grade pupils as his favorite book. The women there cared for him a lot and realised that once he would reach 9 years old they would have to send him to an orphanage and that's a place with no hope for future. Kids become agressive, depressed and hopeless there, influencing each other negatively. Knowing that the women working there started looking for help contacting the social workers. Thankfully Mom and Dad were right in process of getting all the papers ready and looking for a child who needed them. That's when Slavik showed up. The Lord brought them together to make a happy family.

Slavik went to school for the very first time in his life last September (see Jamie's blog for pictures 'First Day of School'). To 4th grade instead of the 1st grade! Not knowing how to behave at school, not knowing what studying was all about, not knowing how to count, write, etc. It was incredibly hard for him, a great challenge, a lot of disappointment and hopefulness, a lot of bad marks. Mom and Dad doubted about the choice of sending him to 4th grade instead of the 3rd or even 2nd, and almost regreted it. But things got better. Because of their help and encouragement and Slavik's discipline and desire to succeed, he did it. He made a big step to an average/high success in studying. We are all so proud of him. He goes to choir and craft, studies additional English, has become a caring elder brother and well-behaving son. What a joy!