New Horizons for Children Inc. (NHFC) is the largest, faith-based host
program for facilitating orphan hosting in the U.S. Since 2002, more
than 3,500 orphans have been hosted through their ministry. In recent
years most of their orphans have come from the eastern European
countries of Latvia and Ukraine.
After learning about the Christian-based orphan host program, John and
Sue Ann Cloar decided they would like to host an orphan themselves.
After they applied for and met the qualifications for hosting, they were
matched with a 16-year-old Ukrainian boy named Sosha, who came to live
with them in December 2015. This allows orphans the chance to experience
an American Christmas with a loving host family.
Friday, Jan. 16, 2016, the day before he was to fly back to his country
of origin, the Cloars requested the State Gazette interview Sosha to
learn about him and his views of America. Due to privacy issues last
names cannot be used. Sosha answered a few questions about his visit to
the U.S. A Russian interpreter was also on hand to facilitate the
interview.
Sosha was asked about what he liked about America, the people he'd met,
and things he'd experienced while here. Though very shy at first, he
began to lighten up and replied: "I like Americans and ducks. Duck
tastes really good!" referring to a meal provided by the family and some
local duck hunters. He also said he would like to live here someday.
Sosha's favorite sport is soccer and he loves dogs, cats and animals in
general. He really liked going to Safari Park in Alamo, Tenn. and seeing
all the animals they had. He was also very excited by the American
pro-wrestler John Cena.
In his country, Sosha said: "We are only required to complete the ninth
grade, but I have kept taking classes and am in the 10th grade now." His
classmates at the orphanage call him "Chipmunk" and when not in class,
his job is making bricks.
For the Cloars, their biggest surprise was how quickly Sosha learned to
use the iPads and iPhones they provided him with, even though it was his
first time getting to try them.
According to the NHFC website, without intervention, upon leaving the
orphanage, 60 percent of girls will end up in prostitution, 70 percent
of boys will be on the streets or in jail, and 15 percent will commit
suicide within the first two years out on their own.
In late 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a bill that
prohibits Russian children from being adopted by American citizens, due
to cases of abuse that have been caused by American adoptive parents.
Russia's proposed plans to compensate for the loss of American adoptions
are to encourage domestic adoptions, boost aid to foster families,
facilitating adoption procedures, and raising benefits for foster
children.
NHFC provides families the unique opportunity to share love with orphans
for a four- to five-week visit during the summer and around Christmas.
They work with orphanages and foster homes in the Eastern European
countries of Latvia and Ukraine to bring the school-aged children to the
U.S. to stay with Christian host families. This can be a life-changing
experience for the orphans who have never been a part of a loving,
functional family. And at their age, 7-18 years old, they are the least
likely candidates to ever be adopted; most believe they are unwanted and
have no hope of ever knowing life in a real family.
In their four- to five-week visit, host families teach these children
English, life skills, and about the love of God. By the end of the
child's visit, most host families are eternally grateful for the
blessings they have received in ministering to these precious lives. It
brings the mission field right to your own home, neighborhood, and
church.
Twice a year, a mission's team of staff and volunteers travels to
Eastern Europe and goes into selected orphanages. Together with the
orphanage director and caregivers, the team works through an interview
process to determine which children should participate in the next
hosting program. The team will talk with each child, take a photo or two
and watch them as they interact with other children, team members and
caregivers. They search for children who appear to have a "resilience
factor" in their lives that helps them to overcome past obstacles and
difficulties.
A few days after Sosha's departure Sue Ann Cloar had this to say:
"We sent Sosha home this past Saturday. It was one of the hardest things
I've ever done. The airport scene was full of tears and sobbing and
desperate clinging! I had no idea it would be so hard. I knew I'd be
upset, but he took it hard, too, and that made it that much more
difficult to watch him walk away with his chaperone."
Though adoption is not completely out of the question, it is probably
not going to be an option due to all the restrictions concerning
overseas adoptees. The Cloars are hoping Sosha can return this summer
for another monthlong visit. Sue Ann added: "I love him so much! When I
think about him, I think of Fivel Mousekewitz in 'An American Tail'
where he's 'somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight.' Of course,
I'm also hoping that we'll be reunited in some way, shape or form:
'somewhere out there, out where dreams come true.' We are hoping other
families in the area might be interested in hosting, too. I knew hosting
was good idea, but I had no idea just how much I'd grow to love him!"
http://www.stategazette.com/story/2271888.html
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