Now in his 3rd decade of volunteer service, our dear friend Oleg Yarovenko was at it again this week. His beloved wife Luda died less than a month ago. But Oleg was eager to travel to Kobryn, near the Polish border, to photograph this year’s graduates at the Children’s Village. (Once again this year, as always, we hope to provide Life Starter Kits for each orphan leaving for school.) I have always been impressed by how industrious the Belarusian people are.  Regardless of pol

13 years ago this month, something amazing happened in the town of Dzerzhinsk, about 25 miles from Minsk, in Belarus.... Americans actually came to visit! Kristina and I spent a beautiful day with the Association for Families of Children With Disabilities. It was the start of a lovely relationship. In the years since then, friends of New Thing have provided humanitarian aid to these families. We’ve supported the Association’s campaign to erase the stigma of disability that

Look at her now. She won’t be here long! Next time you see her, she’ll be loading her new dishwasher! This is the kitchen worker in the boarding school for blind and visually impaired children at Shklov, Belarus. I’m delighted to report that 20 households gave generously to provide funding for a brand-new dishwasher. God bless all who gave! And thanks to all for journeying with New Thing. More adventures to come! Much love, Doug Brendel (Photo by our dear friend Oleg Yarovenk

Just  a brief photo report  ( here )... You’ll meet some of the kids at the boarding school for the blind and visually impaired at Shklov, Belarus. And there’s an  update  on our effort to buy a dishwasher for their kitchen worker. (I think it’s good news!) Thanks for journeying with New Thing! Much love, Doug Brendel (Photos by our dear friend Oleg Yarovenko)

We’ve been reeling with grief since we learned of the sudden death of our dear friend Luda, wife of our beloved New Thing photographer Oleg Yarovenko. I asked Kristina to share her heart with you as soon as she felt she could. Her quiet tribute is  here, along with a few photos . Much love, Doug Brendel

Some friends have checked in with me about the need for a dishwasher at Shklov. At the boarding school for 89 blind and visually impaired children, a kitchen worker washes dishes by hand. (Here’s a  brief video . Just watching it for  85 seconds  made me tired.) As I write, 9 households have given a total of $508.67 toward the $1209.58 need. Thank you! Just $700.91 to go. Maybe we have 20 friends who’d like to  give $35.05  each, to close the gap? Of course, if you feel inspi

Beautiful kids. But they don’t see you the way you see them. They’re blind or visually impaired... 89 children, ages 3-18, at a boarding school in Shklov, Belarus. Our New Thing family first helped this boarding school 15 years ago. These kids weren’t even born yet, or they were only babies. Over the years, generous friends of New Thing provided a brand-new sewer pump (that was a huge emergency!)... Repaired the dormitory heating system to keep the kids warm in winter... Prov

Orphans at the Children’s Village in Kobryn, Belarus, are getting a baking lesson. (Some seem to be more into it than others!) Friends of New Thing have been helping children here for many years. One friend funded a Christmas party this year. And when these kids go off to college, thanks to New Thing, they’ll receive Life Starter Kits. In the meantime, their house parents are equipping them with the same skills our own kids need. Thanks for journeying with New Thing ... and t

Saw a little girl this week — to protect her privacy, I won’t show you her face. But I can tell you about her: Big smile, and all the curiosity and energy of a 4-year-old. Ready to chat but also willing to listen. Well behaved in public but fully engaged, not bossy and also not shy or fearful. A happy child. A normal child. She doesn’t realize it, but she is a triumph. A quarter-century ago, we met another little girl about her age — in a shelter for abused and abandoned chil

Just a brief note, in the depths of winter: On behalf of every cold, hungry, lonely soul you’ve helped to feed in Belarus... Please know that your compassion is a truly beautiful gift. Thanks for journeying with New Thing. Much love, Doug Brendel (Photos by our friends at the League of Good)