Darius and David are curious little boys, but they struggled to join in with activities at their kindergarten. When they were little, their mother had already noticed that they didn’t respond to their names and didn’t play together. But it was when they hit three and started group activities at kindergarten that their difficulties became more obvious. They were unable to sit still, concentrate or socialise with the other children. Often distressed, their behaviour was difficult to manage within the class. However, fortunately, the director of the kindergarten recommended that their mother turn to our colleagues at The Wish for help.
Support from The Wish is important for the whole family. They live in a village 6 miles from Calarasi. Their father is abroad to earn enough to look after the family, so their mother has her hands full.
Fortunately, with the right support David and Darius have already made great progress. They go to The Wish once a week and take part in individual and group sessions. The aims at the moment are to help them improve their communication and social skills, their concentration and their coordination. Over time, their behaviour has become less impulsive, and they are building better relationships with children and adults. Now that they are six they are much more able to join in group activities, and their natural curiosity is helping them learn. The difference is now they understand some simple rules, they are able to follow up on their curiosity within the guidelines of the group.
In Moldova children start school at six. The coming years will no doubt present new challenges for Darius and David. We are grateful to all our supporters who help us fund the therapy that they need to be able to thrive and learn.
When young people are given the means to communicate for the first time it changes the whole of their life. Andrei’s journey shows just how much difference our help in this area can make. 
Sunflower, our partners in St Petersburg, help orphanage-leavers adjust to independent living. Much of their work is done through support groups, but an individual home visit can work wonders when there is a particular crisis. By donating to St Gregory’s you make this service happen.
For most children in Russia, kindergarten is the first step in a their education and the first experience of a life outside the family. This is a stage that many disabled children miss out on because mainstream kindergartens aren’t equipped to look after them. There just aren’t enough places in mainstream or special provision.