The first visit to the orphanage at Ladyzhin three years ago was one of the most difficult of all. In a remote area occupying a former Young Communist camp, this level four orphanage was barely operating. The government support was sporadic if provided at all. Workers were lazy and uncaring. The buildings were filthy and smelly. But the most difficult of all was the condition of the children. Mentally retarded, physically disabled, many just warehoused until death, there was no dental care, very little medical care, minimal supervision, and no nurture. On a later trip to Ladyzhin the photographer traveling with Carey Adams made her promise to never take him back there again.

Today Ladyjzin is a different place. There is a sense of pride among the workers. The odors are lessened and the floors are nearly clean. There is a teacher hired by Ukraine Children’s Project to hold school with the fifteen educable children who are learning actually to read! What brought such change? For almost four years Ukraine Children’s Project has been visiting, bringing ministry teams and humanitarian aid. But the real change agent wasn’t the help given. It was the attention and compassion shown. Gradually as the teams arrived, the staff began to respond positively and small improvements began to show. Skateboards were brought for the boys who couldn’t walk to scoot around on. At first it was “impossible”, they would hurt themselves. Now skateboards whip around corners and fly through the halls. There is a schoolroom with bright posters on the wall and children’s art work. But the spirit of the work at Ladyjzin has changed. Arriving now to the same dreary buildings, the sun shines a little brighter. There are smiles and cheerful faces. There are requests for specific needs. In place of apathy and hopelessness there grows an overcoming spirit. All because those who have much noticed the plight of those who have so little and gave attention. Because we valued the children, the workers began to realize their value. Compassion has a transforming power.