This Christman, 17 orphans from Ukraine came to Virginia to perform the musical, "The Old Russian Shoemaker."

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – For Christmas, all Sergey wanted was a big, juicy cheeseburger, a large pizza – and a mom and dad.

"It's hard living in an orphanage sometimes," the 15-year-old said. "I've been there a long time."

Sergey was one of 17 children from two orphanages in Ukraine who were sponsored to come to the United States this Christmas. Part of the group's U.S. activities was the performance of a Christmas musical titled, "The Old Russian Shoemaker" in several cities along the eastern shore of Virginia.

"It's fun to see how people live here in America," Sergey said through a translator. "I have had a good time since I came here."

This is the fifth year The Gift of Adoption program, based out of Kiev, has brought children to the U.S. to showcase the needs of orphans in Ukraine. The group partners with OBI's Orphan's Promise program to make the trip a success.

"We want to raise awareness about the plight of orphans worldwide," said Karen Springs, project director for The Gift of Adoption. "This trip opens up new opportunities for these children."

In Ukraine, Orphan's Promise is reaching out to orphans through life skills training classes, computer and English classes, summer camp programs, as well as distributing food, clothing and other supplies to orphans and vulnerable children in need.

While in the U.S., the children stayed with host families for one month. Another group of orphans traveled to the west coast for a two-week stint performing the same play for area churches.

"I like the way people make omelets here," said Sveta, 9, who got her first doll while in the U.S. "I love the family I am living with too."

In the past five years, more than 40 orphans have been adopted after visiting the U.S. through this program. Event organizers hope to see that number continue to rise.

"The circumstances of life do not define who you are as a person," said Terry Meeuwsen, director of Orphan's Promise. "Each and every one of these children is special."

The children stayed with host families for one month while touring area churches and other organizations performing and raising awareness about the plight of orphans worldwide.

 

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