This year, with the summer camp base out of action because of water shortages, Sunflower organised a day-hike for a group of care-leavers. This was no ordinary hike. The group had to be prepared for a long day, travelling deep into the countryside by train and bus, and cooking over a camp-fire. As ever, not everyone who was invited was able to negotiate the time off work, but a small committed group gained a great deal from the adventure.
It’s hard to grasp just how anxious this group of care-leavers, some of whom had been adopted, some grew up in orphanages, are about new activities. Nastya said, ‘I can’t cook, but I managed to get the soup ready! It’s scary when I manage to do something, because then everyone expects me to be able to repeat it.’ Even in one day, they were able to continue working on their resilience, something which is a theme of their weekly meetings. One game involved one partner directing another who was wearing a blindfold. Masha said, ‘It’s crazily difficult for me to remember the instructions, and scarier when other people can see this, but somehow I’m sure I’ll be able to overcome this.’
Kristina, Maxim and Lera summed up their day together and powerfully show how much they gained from their trip to the countryside.
Kristina, ‘I got really cross on the train because there wasn’t anywhere to sit. I thought it was pointless coming. But now I’d really like to come back, and I really want to spend more time with my mates.’
Lera, ‘For ages I was like, should I go or not. . . But now I’m glad that I risked it. I couldn’t decide all year, but I’m glad that here everyone supported me, and I take risks all the time.’
Maxim, ‘It would have been strange if we hadn’t taken each other’s hand or carried their bag to help get through a difficult bit. We were really united.’
