By Mary Kemerling, Embrace Board of Directors

March and April of 2006 should be an exciting time for CQ.  They will have completed the construction and rehab of the orphanage building.  Mary Kemerling and Shannon Mogilinski had an opportunity to sit down with Cliff and Sandra Phillips visiting Chicago for an up-date.

This rehab includes; the newborn area, 2 nursery rooms, an isolation ward, examination room, bottle prep area, sunroom and changing room, break room and bathrooms with showers for staff members.  This has been a 3 ½ year project and will easily house 40-70 infants.

Because the Antigua/ Guatemala area is in need of care for all children, a second floor outpatient pediatric clinic is part of Phase 3 of the renovations. 

There is such a need for this clinic since the hospitals offer very poor medical services and lack most routine medicines.  Thirty percent of Guatemala’s children die before the age of 5 because there is no resource for birth mothers to get affordable and reliable medical attention.  The children do not die from Polio or Aids, they die from malnutrition, dehydration and poor water sources. 

Dear Members of Embrace,

On October 14, 2005 I received $1,000 US cash from Embrace by the hand of Lori Kruit. The Kruit family was at the end of their ministry trip here in Vladimir. This gift was given to buy winter clothes for the young children in our Keeping Kids Home program. Through this generous and timely gift, 12 families in our sponsorship received these items. We bought coats, boots, scarves, gloves, and snow pants. Your gift came at the perfect time! We were able to buy these children warm clothes in the middle of November 2005, just at the beginning of the very cold weather.

One mother received her daughters exciting new coat and cap late in the evening. She was so excited; she got her daughter up out of her sleep to see what  had been brought. The girl tried her new blue coat on right then and danced around the room, saying she had never seen anything so beautiful!. “Mommy, is it really for me?” It was like a wonderful dream and a blessing they did not expect.  

K. sends you a big hug and a special thank you!  

Your thoughtful and generous gifts help us to provide the basic’s of life for the mothers and children in our Abandonment Prevention program. The heart of this work is to keep as many children as possible out of a life in the Russian orphanage.

See O,’s (left) new winter pants, sweater and warm boots. Look at these happy faces!

 I am privileged to be your representative here. I hope you can share with me these joys.   Thank You …once more. 

  Jeanne Beckner

One dedicated family has heard the call to reach out to those who have no family.  The Kruits have made a step of faith to raise $10,000 for a trip to visit Russian orphanages and destitute families where children are in need of food, basic supplies, and a little love.  “The Kruits are faithful supporters of Embrace.  This journey will help the children offering them basic needs for survival, and most importantly, God’s compassion as seen through the faces of the Kruit family” said Shannon Mogilinski, Embrace President.  Trips such as this generate awareness on the plight of these children and create financial support to directly change their lives.

Of her trip Melia has said, "I would like to go to Russia to help out in orphanages and make a difference in the kids lives."

Brienna commented, "I am going to Russia to work in orphanages and I want to play soccer with the kids."  Please consider a donation to this cause if you have not already.  Our heart-felt thank you for your encouragement & support. A word from the Kruits(cick here)....

Funds raised by the Kruits will  be used to supply food, medicine, and clothing to the children as well as cover travel expenses.   

*Other ideas to help: donate frequent flier miles, contribute specific funds for— medicine, lice kits, disinfectant, food, building rehab, etc.   

Keeping Kids Home 

All aspects of orphanage life can be challenging.  Embrace strives to ease the hardship on children and the enormous burden on care-takers.  We prioritize food assistance and basic needs. “The children were eating crayons over the winter because they were so hungry,” reported  Jeanne Beckner, our Russian-based volunteer serving an area the size of  South Carolina.  “As we stood and watched the boxes of food being carried    in, the chief nurse looked at me with eyes full of tears and said, ‘this is life for the children of our town.’ ” JB

     Embrace assists not only abandoned children, but also destitute families at risk of surrendering their children. With no government assistance, a poor economy and not a single food pantry, families live in dire situations unfortunately believing an orphanage can better care for their children.   Embrace works to break the cycle of abandonment. By supplying struggling mothers with hand-delivered items each month to care for their child, we also share God’s love.

By Mary Kemerling, Embrace Board of Directors

In March of 2004, I was on my way to Guatemala to help bring home my new niece by adoption.  After a long wait, my sister and her husband were contacted and after returning from their family visit Elliessa was finally ready for adoption.

The visit and experience was life changing and I had the opportunity to meet the individuals running the orphanage, the nannies, and Dr. Juarez whom volunteers his afternoons to monitor the babies and children .  The facility was in renovation process, with new tile, roof repairs and rooms being updated.

I saw first hand the opportunity for Embrace the Children to help Casa Quivira with the needs for the babies in the group home or for their medical needs.

Working together with my sister, we partnered with Karen Beck who coordinates the transportation of Embrace supplies to Casa Quivira with adopting families. 

Embrace recently had a request for anti-fungal creme, AccuNeb, Pulmicort, and Xopenex along with other supplies.  We were able to get donations together quickly with the help from doctors and Aspen Marketing (my place of work) employees and had carriers deliver the donations within 2 weeks time.

Between Nov. ‘04 and Jan. ‘05, Embrace has made 5 separate shipments into Guatemala.

The Director of  Casa Quivira is Cliff Phillips who writes, “Please express our tremendous gratitude for the medicines that Embrace has sent down with recent families.  They are excellent medicines and precisely the kinds of things that are most needed.” 

Casa Quivira is a privately managed facility legally chartered by the Ministry of Government of Guatemala. There is a staff of 40.  The nannies provide loving, individualized care for the children 24 hours per day. Their  sole focus is to meet the needs of the children, which includes bathing, feeding, changing, cuddling, stimulating and playing with them.

Nurses are also on duty 24 hours per day. Daily on-site medical care is provided by a staff physician for the children at Casa Quivira. Physical & psychomotor development is

Keeping Kids Home 

“Jane” is having seizures almost every day. She sits in the corner at the day care center and just fumbles with some toys…Jeanne Beckner

 A glimpse of one Family’s life...  “I met with the mother of ‘Jane’ this morning. She is so burdened for her children. She has the two twins and both of them have problems.  ‘Jane’ is 3 and has been having seizures for a year.  The mother has taken her to doctor day after day...she is so exhausted and broken dealing with the health care system here and trying to get help desperately for her children. We have been helping monthly with the food supplement, some babyfood and vitamins, special shoes for her little boy and now we must make a decision about helping take ‘Jane’ to a specialist in Moscow.   The mother cried throughout the entire interview...struggling to hold back her tears..but a Mother's heart is just too broken for the trials of her little ones.  She has opted to not receive the food in place of this medical help for her little daughter. This diagnostic is going to cost about $400.  What does ETC recommend?”  Embrace responded, “ ‘Jane’ can get her work up.” Thanks donors!

$30 a month pays for one family to receive assistance with food, basic medicine, special needs and supportive help—all specifically aimed at the child.  If you would like to help add a family, just give Embrace a call.

Abandonment Prevention—Milk Kitchen at Stephansevo

In another effort to prevent the devastating cycle of abandonment, Embrace began sponsoring a “Milk Kitchen.”  This is similar to a food pantry.  There are no other opportunities for a poor child to have assistance with food. 

Rebecca Ruggles Tells of Her Visit

“The trip to Stephansevo took over 2 hours, taking us through beautiful winter woodlands and past picturesque country cottages that line the road... The hospital staff greeted our delivery of baby food with a big sigh of relief... They were nearing the end of the last supplies, brought in about three months ago... We delivered about 20 cases of infant formula and fortified baby cereal to the hospital.  And we restocked the Milk Kitchen where 20 destitute mothers would find baby food for the next ninety days, instead of deciding to abandon their hungry infants to a state institution. “ 

Cures for Kids 

“We took the vitamins, medicines to the orphanage in Gus Krystalny.  This was all with the help of ETC. The medicine was such a big help for them. Even right now the timing to receive it is perfect. They are quarantined and many children have chickenpox and influenza. The medicine we bought was very good quality. “  JB   March 2005

Thank you Donors!           

“ The carriers came @9:30 am. At 9:35 am, a young women called frantic with her little girl who had cried all night long with an ear ache. I have treated her several times before.  She came at 11 am… she had an ear that looked inside like a red curtain with white infection.  In the bag was exactly what I needed to treat her! “   JB   June 2004

“The Ear drops have all ready saved on little boy’s hearing.”  JB   November 2004

The school children, ages 6 to 11, raised over $2,000 through the efforts of their student council.  By making individual donation cans for each classroom, the council provided a way for the children to donate repeatedly over several weeks.  “Some kids just came in and dumped out their piggy banks” said Calvin Mogilinski, a six-year old Kindergartner at Lincoln. The out-pouring was overwhelming.  Parents wrote checks and kids gave change—lots of it!   With Lincoln School’s amazing effort and the help of generous others, Embrace raised a total of $3,001.43.

Jeanne Beckner and Angela Bayne made a visit to Phuket in February carrying medication donated by Dr. Mikhailov (All ‘bout Children Pediatrics.)  During their trip, they connected strongly with others on the ground, like the Metzler family quoted right. 

Jeanne reports disease is running rampant on the beaches with many aid workers becoming very ill.  Areas have been closed to  volunteers to prevent further illness.  There are also reports that tons of humanitarian aid was delivered, but distribution of the aid has been slow or ineffectual with much of it “rotting in the sun.”  Some lone volunteers, like Dave Metzler, are literally getting in boats to search for survivors on remote islands where no help has yet reached.  Even the most seasoned aid workers are leaving the disaster areas shocked into silence.  There are many wonderful efforts, but there are also reports of corruption and chaos.  In light of this chaos, Embrace joined forces with “We Love Thailand” who has volunteers in Phangnga, (just north of Phuket) full-time.   “Phangnga has over 600 orphans as a result of the tsunami.  In Thailand, ‘orphan’ means one or both parents are deceased.  Phangnga is ground zero for the tsunami in Thailand.  Phangnga lost over 10,000 people” reports WLT volunteer, Kim Quinley.  With a family based orphan program, WLT works along side the families that have taken in orphans.  Support is given to these families and widows.  Embrace has contributed to these efforts where as promised, 100% of every dollar will go directly to aid the victims.  A first-hand report on the use and impact of Embrace funds will be given in our next newsletter and on our website.  Thank you to so many for reaching a little deeper.  

Embrace the Children’s second annual fundraising event October 23rd, 2004 was a huge success raising over $12,000 dollars which will be put toward meeting the most basic needs of children around the world- food, medicine, shelter, and humanitarian aid. This past year, Embrace worked diligently on the creation of three important programs which focus on meeting the urgent and long-term needs of the children we support. These programs include Cure for Kids, Orphanage Outreach, and Keeping Kids Home. Through these programs, Embrace is better able to provide assistance such as immediate food assistance to a new orphanage in Moscow, supplying antibiotics and over the counter medications to those in need, and funding new heating systems, fixing plumbing issues and other infrastructure problems that arise in the orphanage buildings.

Proceeds from this fundraiser, will be focused on Russia, where it is estimated 1 million children east of the Ural Mountains are living in orphanages, and where Embrace founding member Jeanne Beckner manages a well respected hunger relief program. Embrace’s president, Shannon Mogilinski, says “I can still see the faces of the children in the Russian orphanage where I adopted my daughter; so alone with no one to hold them. They are always in need- always short of food, medicine, or loving contact- the things so many of us take for granted.”

Held at Randall Oaks Golf Club in Dundee, the fundraiser featured the theme “A Night at the Silver Screen” complete with a large movie screen running famous movie clips, movie games and prizes. Mark Kovacik donated his Emcee and deejay talents for the second year in a row. He kept things lively with an Oscar Awards ceremony and exciting live auction. Card N Camera of Elgin donated their time and talent to take professional portraits of event attendees; fees for the portraits were donated to Embrace the Children. In fact, many businesses supported the event by donating items for our live and silent auctions including The Palmer House Hilton, Indian Lakes Resort of Bloomingdale, and Francesca’s restaurant of St. Charles to name a few. The most excitement this year was generated by a night’s stay and golf package for two donated by Eagle Ridge Inn of Galena, the winners also received a gift certificate for dinner at Fried Green Tomatoes, a popular local restaurant. This live auction item alone raised over $600 dollars!

“The generosity of those who attended the event or sent donations far exceeded our expectations,” said Leslie Edstrom, Embrace vice president and event coordinator. “Embrace is proud of the fact that we are volunteer based, with no paid staff or costly overhead expenses. At least 90% of the funds raised are put directly toward relief efforts. The success of this fundraiser could not have been achieved without the time and talent of our fabulous volunteers. “Everyone gave 110% and it showed by the positive feedback we received” said Edstrom.

The Board members were so pleased with the support for this year’s fundraiser, there has been some buzz about a cattleman’s ball for next year, complete with ten-gallon hats, line dancing, and Texas barbecue. So get ready to dust off those cowboy boots sitting in your closet! If you were unable to attend the event this year but would like more information

Embrace received a call from Heather Theiszman, who was traveling to Russia on a visit to her daughter’s birth country.  She had learned of a very destitute orphanage in Moscow.  The building was described as something from a war-zone and the children were in dire need of food, medical supplies—help.

After some research, Embrace learned very few adoptions were being completed from this home.  The result was 75-90 children lived in this one institution, Lobnya;  A huge number of children in one place by any standard.  We found other aid had been given to Lobnya in the form of building repair and immunizations.  However, a regular food supplemental program is unique and beyond the range of assistance for many organizations.    

We have certainly learned that the need for food, especially in infancy, is one of the most important roles Embrace can play and children in the Russian orphanage system  are just not allotted enough Rubles to fill their stomachs let alone grow their little brains.  Clearly, emergency relief was needed.

The Board acted quickly taking time during a busy work day to discuss options.  Heather was asked if she would purchase a month’s supply of provisions hand-delivering them to the Lobnya Baby Home.  A two week follow-up would be done to insure food remained on the shelves at Lobnya for the rest of the month.  Heather  agreed re-arranging her trip to accommodate the mission. 

Embrace estimates $8,000 will be needed to supplement the homes food for one year.  Once a food program is begun, consistency is crucial.  The staff must learn to rely on the supply so food is not watered down or stowed for more desperate times.  

Moving forward, Embrace has agreed to work in partnership with MAPS, an international adoption agency, to jointly provide food supplements to Lobnya.

This is the first time this agency has agreed to such an arrangement and a first for us as well.  MAPS usually focuses their Humanitarian efforts on orphanages where they complete adoptions.  But because this institution was in such poor condition, they made an exception.  MAPS has an office in Russia, so they will be able to monitor the delivery of food to the orphanage. 

Stella Starkova, a MAPS employee, has agreed to volunteer directly for Embrace as the Moscow Coordinator for Lobnya.  She will be making the purchases and food deliveries. 

The Orphanage Director of Lobnya was recently notified there will be no more funding for medications.  Embrace has already begun to respond...

Through the generous heart of Mark Niemaszek, the pharmaceutical company, Fujisawa, has agreed to sponsor Embrace the Children as their charity of the year.  Mark created a presentation (as Embrace had none) and gave it to the charitable committee of Fujisawa.  Embrace was given the great honor of receiving the financial donation for 2004.  Mark has now been charged with organizing, soliciting and running two separate fundraisers for the employees of Fujisawa !  When the fundraising cycle is complete, whatever the employees have raised, Fujisawa will match in a very generous donation to Embrace.  We will use this one time gift for emergency food and medical assistance.  It will be a tremendous help to our charity.  On behalf of the children and Embrace supporters, thank you so very much Mark & Fujisawa

Do you remember these photos? Jeanne gave this orphanage “$1,000 of her own money” to fix the toilet and shower. Not only did they do this work (pictured below), they repaired a crumbling wall, remodeled several rooms and a hallway. When no help could be found from the town, Jeanne gave them hope. The staff themselves worked day and night on the home to make a better place for the children to live, all because one woman had faith in them to find a way.