GAP Listing - Graduates of Tsurupinsk Children's Home

All the deserving children listed below have all been sponsored. Thank you! There are other students available who are graduates of Mykolaivka Internat. If you are interested in sponsoring, please email our GAP Myko Coordinator. Contact: Rachael

Questions about the Tsurupinsk Program can be directed to Leslie

Click here for a printable description of the GAP program at Tsurupinsk.

Ella B (Born March 24, 1990) SPONSORED

Ella had spent 11 years at Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage before she left in August 2008. She now attends a boarding vocational school in Lugansk (in Eastern Ukraine). She is training to be a sewing machine operator.

Ella likes dancing and she stages her own dances for school shows. She also likes embroidery.

Ella has enjoyed the sponsorship and support of Debbie.

Igor P (Born May 15, 1989) SPONSORED

Igor left Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage in 2008. He is now attending a local trade school to become a car mechanic. Although this profession is challenging for him (he can’t use his left hand), he is enjoying his studies and hopes to find a job when he graduates.

In addition to cars, Igor really enjoys computer games.

An Orphan Smiles is appreciative of Igor's sponsor Cheryl who is helping him through the GAP program.

Sasha P (Born September 16, 1989) SPONSORED

Sasha (Oleksandr) comes from a very poor family that lives in a rural area in the southern part of Ukraine. He spent several years in Tsurupinsk Special Need Orphanage and is now attending Tsurupinsk Trade School to become a car mechanic.

Sasha is very quiet and shy.

Thanks to Claire and Margaret who share Sasha's sponsorship.

Victoria A (Born May 23, 1990) SPONSORED

Vika spent 13 years at Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage. She is now a first year student at a local trade school. She is training to become a sewing machine operator. She lives at the school dormitory, not far from the orphanage.

An Orphan Smiles is please to announce that Heather and her family is beginning their second year in helping Victoria.

Enver S (Born August 31, 1989) SPONSORED

Enver lived in Tsurupinsk Orphanage for 14 years before leaving in August 2008. Sadly, his parents abandoned him. Enver is a very active and outgoing young man. He loves playing soccer. Because Enver has greater physical capabilities compared to other children at Tsurupinsk, he is always helping others.

Enver is now attending a trade school in Tsurupinsk to become a car mechanic. He lives in a dormitory not far from the trade school. Enver still comes to the orphanage almost every day. He misses all of his caretakers and children.

Melissa has been sponsoring Enver since 2008.

Grigory S (Born May 6, 1990) SPONSORED

Grisha spent 13 years in Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage. He left the orphanage in 1998. Unfortunately, due to Grisha’s serious physical disabilities (no legs and no hands) he was unable to continue his education. He is hoping to find a school this summer. While waiting for a chance to attend a vocational school, he must remain at his grandmother’s home in a very rural village in Chernigiv Oblast (2 hour drive from Kiev).

Grisha is fortunate to have two sponsors, Marina and Lynn, who are providing monthly help.

Katya L (Born February 6, 1989) SPONSORED

Katya spent 12 years in Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage. She has no arms and no legs. Katya's mother is living, but unfortunately she does not take much interest in her daughter’s life. Katya is now attending a two year vocational program to become a sewing machine operator. Katya is scheduled to graduate in 2010.

Katya is a very energetic, friendly, and kind person. She likes listening to music, reading, and watching romantic movies.

GAP Listing - Students who have finished their studies

Fedia R (Born September 25, 1988) SPONSORED

Fedia has had a very difficult life. His parents abandoned him because of his physical challenges - Fedia can not use his legs and hands. The only home he ever knew was Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage. For two years Fedia lived in a hospital fighting leukemia. The deadly disease is currently in remission.

After leaving Tsurupinsk in August 2008 Fedia was supposed to go to an "elderly" home. This is a place for people who can not take care of themselves because of their age or physical state. However, Fedia managed to convince doctors to let him go to school. As an exception, Fedia was accepted into Lugansk trade school for students with special needs. His schooling is completed now and he is living with his girlfriend in Lugansk while he figures out what he can do for employmnent. Fedia loves painting. He paints with his mouth. An Orphan Smiles is trying to help Fedia with his painting.

Fedia has two sponsors, Jill and Amy, who share in assisting Fedia.

Vasia L (Born December 22, 1988) SPONSORED

Vasia spent 13 years in Tsurupinsk Special Needs Orphanage. Vasia is a reserved and serious young man. Vasia attended a trade school in Lugansk to become an interior design decorator.

Vasia has had the continued support of his sponsor Esme since he started Vocational training in 2008. He was born with major physical disabilities. His hands are completely atrophied from shoulders to his fingers. He can not lift his hands or hold anything. He uses a wrist band to hold kitchen utensils. His legs are also atrophied but he can walk relatively well.

Supporters of An Orphan Smiles are trying to promote Vasia's art. Vasia needs employment so he will not be sent to an institution for his disabilities. Jobs are scarce in Ukraine in general and for an orphan with major disabilities the outlook is not good.