Art school in the future

When people come to live at the farm, if  it is as a young adult right out of the orphanage or one of our support workers, we put a high priority on heath and education.   When Marat first came to the farm right from the orphanage, he was very shy and very quiet.  For the first year we could hardly get him to come off the farm when we would go fishing or swimming or to other fun events with the kids.   One day we sent kids in to get their eyes tested .. that's when we found out that Marat was nearly blind and getting worse .. He had not said anything because he he did not know any different.   

Over the last year Marat has had to have his  eye's operated on 4 times, 

today he has perfect vision and no longer requires glasses . 

With a new out look on life, Marat is no longer concerned leaving the farm.  In fact he just contacted us and asked if he could go to Art school in Bishkek.  

We are so proud of him and how far he has come .  School will not be easy for him but just the fact that he is feeling like overcoming this next hurtle in life is is a testimony to the resilience of these kids.  With good food, good living and caring people around them comes a new outlook on life.  

We have until the 15th of July to register him, so we will be on that this week.  In fact we are looking forward to 12 of our kids returning to school of some form .  The average tuition is about $500 for the year, so we will be working towards a goal of $6000. 

schol·ar·ship

ˈskälərˌSHip/

a grant or payment made to support a student's education,

awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.

synonyms:

grant, award, endowment, payment, bursary

There are lots of organizations out there that provide scholarships. the problem is, that even in the definition of the word, they are based on "academic or other achievements"    I think that  for some kids the very fact that they are hanging on and desiring to move forward is the greatest achievement of all. 

Covering the tuition needs so that kids like Marat can move forward is such a blessing to them, and at the same time a true honor to us.   

last day of school party with the kids at the farm 

 Right on the heals of raising the extra funds to get Emma and Jengish home,  this is a little daunting.    Education is such an important part of the future for these kids that I don't see that we have much choice but reset the fundraising thermometer , and continue praying .. 

Here is a cute picture of Sammy out exploring the sunflowers in the garden