Testimonials

I was looking hard to find a place where I could give money that would benefit children. I searched one evening for "aid to orphans" and saw Kira's site. It was the answer I was looking for. I love donating here because I actually get to "see" the results almost immediately. I see the numbers on the site change, I see photos of the items that my money bought, I receive countless thank you notes, and even gifts sometimes. It makes me feel like I am involved in the process, not just a check writer.

I have given to many places, and usually I eventually stop because I do not feel involved, but here I feel like a partner. I love that the site provides you with their goals. You can see what is needed and you can give "specifically". Kira is a very kind man, one I trust with any amount of money. He has high morals and ethics, and I know that I will be with this organization for a long time to come.

Kira is always there to listen to every one of my ideas involving the orphans. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night just to run to my computer and make a suggestion. I then realize, "He must think I'm nuts!" But, he always responds positively and that is only one of his wonderful traits.

Thanks Kira, and everyone!

Hello Kira! We found your web site on the internet and are very impressed with all that you are accomplishing on behalf of Russian orphans. We have adopted 2 children from Magadan and have a special place in our hearts for the orphanages in that city.

Kolyma was the most feared region of all the Russian gulags. The gulags exist no longer but the Russians still have a soviet era legacy that is almost as inhuman, the orphanages. More than 700,000 children are today housed in Russian orphanages. Because of the poor economy there continues to be a flood of children being placed in the orphanages. And the children in the orphanages are regarded very poorly by most Russian people. Many have medical problems which would be easily repaired in western hospitals. Many have various disorders as a result of living in an institution during their early lives. When they are forced out of the orphanages at age 16, they are branded for life on their domestic passports as “orphans”. It is no wonder that such a large percentage turn to crime, drugs, prostitution and suicide soon after they are out on the street.

Our experience with Russian orphans is that they are magical. They will renew your spirit and renew your energy as soon as you are near them. They are tiny but full of the hope of innocent children. Both Roman and Angelina (Tia) continue to touch our hearts each day with love. Our trips to Russia have forever changed our lives. During our adoption preparation days we found a simple and beautiful quote from Mother Teresa: “Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance.”

When asked why I am helping the orphans I find that I am somewhat at a loss for words. I feel that I have been truly blessed in my life and after a decade of pursuing the “American Dream” I’ve found emptiness. No amount of success can take the place of knowing that you’ve changed a needy child’s life forever, where they may have faced an uncertain future, or worse. These are the children that will succeed us and it is up to all of us to help them grow and flourish in all their talents and abilities. I understand now that the measure of a person’s life is not by what they have, but instead by what they do. It takes very little time and effort to reach out to these children and make a difference in their lives, one just has to make the decision to do so, regardless of nationality. If we all could reach out to just 2 or 3 people in our lifetime, imagine how different the world could be. And perhaps one day those that we’ve touched will have the opportunity to do the same for someone else.

I decided to support Ascent for several reasons. The first being that is wasn’t a huge corporation and all of the monetary support would go to the kids, 100%. All too often we see organizations that spend more money on the bureaucracy of the company and not on what truly is important. I also like the fact that the projects are clearly defined, including preliminary budgets and then follow up reports with photos and receipts showing actual costs, and the end results. It made me feel more connected to the process. And I like knowing that creativeness is rewarded where the project development is concerned. And finally having Kirill personally involved via emails and telephone correspondence with the extended agencies is fantastic. I think that his knowledge of modern technology and the use of the internet have made Ascent even more effective than it could have ever been otherwise.