|
Natasha first came to Canada when she was 7 years old. A small, thin child with red hair, wearing a dress that was too big, carrying a plastic shopping bag (her luggage) was our first impression. Our welcome gift to her was a large white teddy bear. She took it, hugged it tightly and said “Spaciba”(thank you in Russian). We fell in love right away!
During her first three summers here we experienced Natasha’s “wild side”. She was fearless, excitable, out of control and often defiant. But, there was something about this child that was incredibly endearing. She understood English quickly during her first summer and began using short sentences. Her appetite astounded us. She charmed everyone that met her. Needless to say her first summers here were busy and trying, but her spirit and determination , not to mention her intelligence and engaging personality, sparked a bond that has endeared her to us for 13 years now and will keep her in our hearts forever.
We discovered that Natasha spent a great deal of time living with her grandmother (whom she adored) and an invalid grandfather as well on occasion, her aunt. We could not get a clear story as to why she did not live full time with her mother (no known father). I began to suspect that there was a problem with the family but we could not seem to get information that could help us come up with an explanation.
Two summers passed where we were not able to bring Natasha to Canada. When Natasha was 11, we learned that she had been removed from her mother’s home and placed in an orphanage, Her mother, and alcoholic had been beating her and locking her out of the house in winter. Natasha was an orphan: her mother denied parental rights. We were shocked at the devastating news! We suspected that something was wrong and now knew why.
We could not wait until we could have her here again! Now 12 years old, a different Natasha came to us the following summer. There was a noticeable difference in her demeanour. We suspect that living in a more stable environment where she was not longer suffering abuse, eating on a regular schedule and sleeping in a warm bed made a significant difference. She shared a room with 13 other girls and was not happy living in an orphanage but spoke fondly of some of her teachers and the new friends she made. She was able to visit her aunt’s and grandmother’s homes on weekends. She did visit her mother on occasion but when speaking of her mother there was notable sadness.
When Natasha was 13, her grandmother died. She mourned her beloved grandmother deeply the following summer here. We had arranged for a summer job for her picking strawberries along with our daughter. Natasha picked better and faster than anyone else and earned $200. We assumed that she would use it to buy herself something special, but she refused to spend the money. Instead, Natasha was planning to take the money back to Belarus to her aunt to pay for her Grandmother’s funeral ( the cost for a funeral in Belarus was about $150). We were deeply moved by this selfless act! Most 14 year olds would want to buy new jeans, shoes or music etc. Here was a girl who had nothing, with and opportunity to treat herself choosing instead to pay for a funeral.
Natasha is also a gifted student! She was moved to a special orphanage for girls when she turned 14. Natasha was excited about this “step up” and valued the opportunity that this presented. If she worked hard on her studies she could earn University tuition with high marks. Her ambition was to go into university to become a doctor. Natasha needed to achieve 98% to get into the medical program. Her score was 96% leaving her with Biology as her course of study. This was a disappointment for Natasha but, true to her determined spirit, she accepted this outcome and is making the most of it. She is the first girl from this orphanage to go to university and accomplishment that we and her teachers are very proud of!
| 
