In our orphanage we have 7 kinds of after school classes that develop kids' various talents. Our boys are always anxious to go to soccer practice that they regularly have 3 times a week. Classes where children are being taught how to cross-stitch, knit and make cute things out of paper are well attended both by boys and girls. Our girls really enjoy dance and vocal singing classes. Tania Markina and Vika Romanchuk study professional vocal singing in the local music school.

Every week our children enjoy free of charge the opportunity to attend 'Wista' computer club run by I. Vodzinsky.

In the last six months our children have gone for a tour of the cities of Nickolayev and Herson - capitals of two neighboring states and to the 'Askania Nova' nature park. The children hold unforgettable memories of their visits to the zoo and swimming pool in Nickolayev, to a museum and a skating rink in Herson, and of the opportunity to get to know flora and fauna of 'Asknia Nova' park.

Kids are always looking forward to fun time spent in the company of their often-visiting friends - representatives of International Humanitarian Fund 'Reach the Children' headed by Mr. Jim King and his wife Pam, citizens of America. The delegation of the Fund paid their recent visit to us on January 10-14, although our relationships with the Fund started well before 'House of Joy' has been first opened. Words can not express how much help has been delivered to us through the Fund since then, how many moral and human lessons have been taught to our kids by the Fund's representatives, how much love, kindness and care they have shared with our children.

One old and wise saying goes,
'By realizing the child's rights we realize our own right for honor and respect in our older years'.

Keeping this saying in mind, we aim to provide the children a quality education, healthy life style, entertainment and personal interests, medical service, care delivered by responsible staff, yielding a bright future.
Our utmost desire is to create a real family where love, joy, kindness and mutual understanding would rule.

Another wise saying says,
'When you sow wheat, you will reap bread,
When you plant an apple tree, you will reap apples.
When you plant a family, you will reap a nation'.

We are working really hard to make worthy citizens of our nation out of our children.

'Out of 39 residents of the 'House of Joy' 34 are schoolchildren and 5 are young children.

Our staff's major assignment is to teach our children to study. We are keeping track of their school progress every day, every week and every month. Our priority is to give an individual approach in education. We are staying in touch with the staff of the local schools that our children attend to be well informed of the education process our kids go through.

Each of our kids has his own social-psychological-educational passport where we keep records of the dynamics of changes taken place in the physical, mental, moral and psychological development of a child. Based on this passport we shape correctional programs and then bring them into life under the leadership of our competent staff.'