Roma & Kolya: 10 Years Helping Orphans Thrive
Longevity is an important part of Last Bell’s ministry framework. It’s through long-term relationships that our youth learn to trust, accept the help we offer, and learn to thrive.
It’s encouraging to look back on the stories of young people we met in the early years, tracing their steps toward our newest program. Two of the Restoration Project crew members are guys we’ve known for a long time—since 2009 and 2011.
Roma first began attending Last Bell programs in 2009 after he graduated from the orphanage. He studied welding at Zhytomyr Trade School #6 and attended our Educational Outreach life skills classes. He became known by our staff, made use of our day center, and enjoyed our youth group events.
Not long after taking root in Last Bell programming, Roma’s girlfriend became pregnant. They married and moved in with her parents. Then they moved into their own apartment. It is common that our youth are treated unfairly by employers (orphanage graduates are viewed as second class citizens by many in Ukrainian society) – and we later learned that Roma wasn’t always being paid at his workplace. Perhaps in part because of finances, the marriage did not last.
Roma commutes from a nearby village into the city so he can work with the Restoration Project team. He’s a good welder and puts effort into being a good father to his child. Now he spends his work days apprenticing under the team leader, Sergei Cherniy. Please pray for Roma and the other young men like him, who desperately need good father-figures and mentors!
Kolya came to Last Bell in 2011. He was an orphaned very early in his childhood. Upon graduation, a teacher told him that the father he’s never known was a guard at the orphanage. Kolya introduced himself but his father wasn’t interested. Later, he decided he wanted to forgive and reconcile with his mother. He discovered her address and gathered the courage to visit her. When his stepfather arrived, he said, “Is this your food? Is this your kitchen? What are you doing here?” His mother and stepfather were both rather cruel that day, so he’s never gone back.
Kolya has a good relationship with several Last Bell staff members who stayed close to him over the years. For a long time he lived with a cousin who treated him poorly, but now he lives peacefully with his two brothers. Kolya and his younger brother are attending the same church as some Last Bell staff.
After a time of uncertainty about where to work, Kolya now has steady employment with Last Bell’s Restoration Project. In trade school he was known as a hard worker – and he remains well-respected by his peers and mentors. We pray that his future involves a far reaching influence on others for the Lord and as an advocate for orphans in Ukraine.
The Restoration Project is a program providing job skills, steady work for the trainees, and safe homes for orphanage graduates – very important pieces of LB’s holistic care for these vulnerable youth.
Last Bell donors make it possible for Roma and Kolya to be on the Restoration Project team. Many thanks to all who’ve made this a reality!