Lost boys of ROMINIV, lost no more.(June 2011)

We traveled a few hours out of Kiev and met up with Oksana Shulyak who took us another hour to meet with the director of Rominv, a Level 3 internat out in the middle of nowhere. 13 years ago, Nickaychuk Vasiliy, became director of this internat for boys, ages 3-18, who had mental retardation. At that time the boys were dying at the rate of 12 per year. Conditons were inhumane. There was no heat in the winter, cold water to bathe the boys, black walls, horrific conditions. Nickaychuk addressed he sanitantion co9nditons and had built a state of the arts facility for bathing the boys, and washing their laundry which greatly decreased the rate of contamination. He built a new kitchen facility where they make their own bread, and noodles. He has livestock on the grounds for fresh milk and meat; chickens for eggs. The boys are fed healthy meals daily. They are now working on the 'day center' for the boys daily recreation and exercise. As a result the boys sleeping condtions are crowded, but clean and comfortable, but during the day they must remain outdoors. Approximately, 50 boys remain outdoors, in a fenced in basketball court, all day, with no shelter from the hot sun, no water to quench their thirst. As a result, the boys have 'shut down', many lying on the ground in the fetal position, others pacing back and forth. It is so unfair yet the director feels helpless with the assets he has to do anything else. But the positive thing is that he is asking for help! He would like me to come back and train his staff, help design a sensory room and develop an educational program. But he urgently needs funds to complete the renovations before the cold weather arises! These boys need  both an indoor and an outdoor playground which encourages movement, sensory exploration, exercise and fun! Due to a total lack of experience with toys and materials, I need to come with a plan to provide materials and activities to enhance active learning experiences, and to keep 80 boys stimulated all at the same time!! Boys who have sat all day, day after day, night after night, week after week, with nothing to look at, nothing to explore and nothing to do! Our team has ideas: a dental hygienist to treat their teeth and gum disease, MUSIC, DVD's, murals, a sensory room, a gym, an outdoor playground, visits from Almaz Church members and training for the staff.