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.

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."

We became interested in supporting the Russian Children and Orphanages after our son shared some information about them with us. We have always had a heart to help children, and have fostered as well as adopted several children in our years of marriage. Knowing that 100% of the money we donate goes to the children, equipment, repairs, or other projects keeps us motivated to continue our support.

The profiles, pictures, and stories about the orphans really pull at our heartstrings. We feel that our money could not be spent more wisely than this. It has also been great to see completed pictures and articles about past projects.

Knowing that the staff works on a voluntary basis and remains committed to the children and their well being is an inspiration to us. We know that our money could not have been better spent, and we are only too happy to support this effort.

When I moved to France to pursue my studies, I realized it was rather difficult to continue supporting those in need the way I used to (when I lived in Moscow, I used to send parcels to orphanages or families in extreme poverty with clothes, etc). For me, the main advantage of iOrphan is the fact that I can donate with my credit card (I wouldn't risk that in Russia). Plus it's 100% transparent, all projects are comprehensively documented and you really see the results!

Russian orphans do deserve a better future and we are both very proud to be a part of iOrphan!!

Around Thanksgiving the year our son was turning one year old, I got to thinking that our little family was certainly blessed. Our child had a warm home, plenty of food to eat, toys to play with, clothing to wear, loving parents, and would never know what it was like to feel cold, hungry, or truly alone. Two years previously, I had the opportunity to hear a dynamic speaker make a presentation about an orphanage in Siberia that her Rotary Club was assisting, in a project designed to improve living conditions. The before and after photos of the children in her presentation never really left me, and I found their faces coming back to me that day as I pondered our comfortable life in Canada. I decided we should do something, but what? At the time, we were living in a small rural community, so I went online and started searching through websites, the easiest way, I thought, to help from our remote location. Through a link on a Rotary International site, I found iOrphan. I read through it thoroughly, and told my husband about all I learned; the statistics were sad and mind-blowing at the same time. After much consideration, we chose to sponsor a little girl who lived in an orphanage on the eastern side of Russia.

For over the past year and a half, we have been exchanging letters and photos with our sponsored child, and we love being a part of her life. It is so rewarding to send a simple parcel of school supplies, and then later receive an email with a picture of her smiling face holding the open box. We like Ascent Russian Orphan Aid Foundation precisely for the reason of being so involved in making a difference in a country all the way around the world. It is not a static thing; you are able to really participate in helping to improve a young person's life, you can write letters, send gifts, and even visit if you are so inclined. Communication, I find, is a large part of the success of the program; the website is great because it is regularly updated with news, projects, and improvements that have been completed by donor support. I check in on it often to see the progress that is being made, and look for new initiatives that we may be able to help with. The volunteers who run the program are especially fantastic; if ever I have a question, suggestion, or concern, my emails are promptly answered and they have make every effort to keep me informed and up to date on developments.

Having recently returned from Yaroslavl, Russia on a volunteer trip working with women and children, I can honestly say that I have now seen situations first-hand from the ground level, and can truly appreciate the need for assistance and how great it actually is. There are so many facets of live that we take for granted here, but in Russia, many people are grateful for the smallest of things; hot water, clean clothing, warm food, and in my experience, companionship. Loneliness and isolation can do terrible things, and too much eventually takes its toll. Because certain stigmas still exist, many people are ostracized because they are orphaned, come from a broken family, suffered abuse, have physical or mental disabilities, or are just a little outside the norm. But they are people too. We urge you to strongly consider a donation to assist iOrphan in continuing their good work. There are programs and projects for every budget, and you will be making a huge difference in the life of someone who may give up hope without your support.