The kids of the Staraya Russa Children's Home of Hope are the real reason why we do this. Over the course of the two weeks, we grow very close with these children. Due to the institutional nature of the orphanage, often these children are longing for people to connect with them individually. Our students and the children bond very deeply over the course of the two weeks.

Kostya Zhikov getting ready to sing for us in Russian.

Some of the children of the orphanage in 2000

We spend a great deal of time with the children - both one-on-one and in groups. We work with them and play with them, teach them English - have them teach us Russian, play hacky-sack, frisbee, and any number of Russian games that they teach us. Through all of it the main thing is that the children and our students grow to love each other deeply over the two weeks. The relationship is so important to both the children and the students. The children of the orphanage benefit so much from knowing that people care about them individually and want to spend time with them.

A folk performance for the American guests by children of the orphanage.

At play.

At work.

Scooter at play.

Many of the children at the orphanage come and go, but many have been there for all the trips we've taken - like Scooter, pictured above. He has "graduated" from the orphanage now, but I have no doubt that he will be joining us to look for old friends and to make new friends. That's what it's all about, after all.