The Big Sister Program in Ukraine was launched by Maryna Vashchenko in 2007, who got inspired by the dedicated work that her mentor, Dr. Laurie Miller, did in Russia. Maryna extended the idea by introducing an emphasis on attachment to the program model. The attachment theory states that having sensitive and consistent caregivers as a young child ensures positive development. Institutional models of care fail to provide this fundamental feature of childhood because caregivers in those circumstances change frequently and abruptly, which impedes development of basic attachment relationships and sometimes results in different attachment patterns, including attachment “disturbances” and “atypical” attachment behaviors. The Big Sister project is trying to change this situation by facilitating long-term positive relationships of the children with the sisters.
This community project brings young women from local universities to spend an hour a day with a child every day for a period of 9 months. Read more…
With a grant from the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Public Citizenship, the program sponsored 6 children in 2007-08. The results of the first year are truly transformative. Children who participated in the program began to smile, initiate play with adults and form relationships with other children. While at the beginning of the program all children were “silent” (a common delay in language development observed in institutionalized children), their vocabulary blossomed within the next couple of months. Three children were adopted following the program, which makes us especially proud to have contributed to a smoother transition of the children into their loving families.
Since then our team has been working to raise enough money to sustain the program and give more children a big sister.
The Big Sister program received $300 from Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) and a Social Justice Endowment Fund grant of $2000 from the Lexington United Methodist Church!
The money will enable us to give a “sister” to four more children in 2009-2010 and purchase our own video camera to record our children's progress, their first words and beautiful smiles! We plan to create a video guide on how to start a Big Sister program in your own community and train sisters to work with young children.
This news comes in a day after we received some wonderful updates from the coordinators of the program on site. Firstly, two more children from the Big Sister program were adopted this year! Secondly, our “sisters” received very positive feedback from the caregivers and the administration of the Baby Home during a recent staff meeting where the results of 2008-2009 program were discussed.
We thank all of you for your support!
We have just completed training of the new cohort of volunteers - this year for the first time including men.
Since its conception in 2007, the Big Sibling project has sponsored 15 children, 10 Big Sisters and 2 Big Brothers. The project has truly changed many lives! We observed dramatic positive changes in the children, most of whom were since adopted. Their Big Siblings described this experience as life changing. Click here to meet them (coming soon).
It costs $400 to give one child a Big Sib for 9 months. If you would like to donate, please contact Maryna Vashchenko.
We are currently working on a short documentary about the project. To find out more, please contact Maryna Vashchenko.
Over the years we have been lucky to have wonderful volunteers. Please meet our 2009-2010 team!
Olga Fortuna
Currently a fourth-year Social Work student, Olga began working with us in the Fall of 2008. After her little brother Edik was adopted, Olga began working with a new girl, Nastya. This academic year Olga will continue to visit Nastya four days a week.
Ernest Macharashvili
Ernest began his volunteer work at the Baby Home a year ago, and this year he joins us as a trained Big Brother. "When I came to the Baby Home, I was unaware of the Big Sibling program. I began working with two boys independently, and waited to apply next year to become a part of your project" he says. This year Ernest will be continuing his work with the same two boys.
Yulia Govrilyuk
A second year student of Social Work, Yulia is pursuing her life-long interest in working with young children. "I don't have siblings of my own, and have a lot of love I want to share", says Yulia. She is working with a 3 year old boy Sasha.
Vadim Rudakov
Vadim is training to be a Social Worker and possesses a natural aptitude for applied work with young children. His little sister Nastya was very shy when she first met Vadim, but within 30 minutes was showing off toys. Vadim's sensitivity and patience, in addition to professionalism, are exemplary.
Svetlana Yatsuk
When Svetlana (left) found out about the program from her older sister Yelena Yatzuk (right), who is the program coordinator, she immediately wanted to apply. However, she had to wait two years till she became eligible (the program does not accept first-year university students), and this year finally was able to participate in the very competitive application process. She admires children and loves her "little brother".
Irina Muntyan
Irina is a second-year student of Social Work and is planning to work with HIV-infected children or children in institutions when she graduates.
Natalia Sil'vestrova
In addition to her interest in applied work with children, Natalia is also an artist. She paints and pursues photography, and believes that her creativity will be helpful in her work with children.
