A Family for Vanya

Vanya's Story Vanya was born in the Kaluga region of Russia. His young Russian parents gave him up at birth because they felt that they could not care for him due to his multiple birth defects (goldenhar syndrome.) He was born with a cleft lip/palate, a missing left ear and a lack of vision in his left eye due to an overgrowth of skin (dermoid.) He lived in the hospital for 18 months and then was transferred to the Ermolino Children's Orphanage at age 2. Vanya in the orphanage (2nd from right, arms up) Members of Lucas Valley Community Church in San Rafael, CA, met Vanya when he was 4 years old. Vanya at age 4, before any surgeries The church was sponsoring the orphanage and raising funds for repairs and services. When church members first met Vanya in the orphanage, he was a lively, curious, interactive boy who could not be forgotten by the visitors. The church decided to help Vanya and spent 3 years arranging for his trip to the United States. In the meantime, at age 6, he was transferred to another orphanage for special needs children. Vanya finally came to the United States in 2003 to live with a wonderful Russian foster family in Sacramento while receiving free treatment at Shriner’s Hospital. The Novato Sunrise Rotary sponsored his trip and continues to support him monthly, along with Lucas Valley Church. The Russian family taught him English and how to be a part of a family. He did not attend school regularly in Sacramento, due to multiple surgeries. Vanya with Rotary and Lucas Valley friends In April of 2005, Vanya went to live with a new foster family in San Rafael, CA, near Lucas Valley Community Church. The foster family in Sacramento could no longer care for him because they were moving to New Jersey and were expecting another baby in addition to their 3 young children. Vanya is doing very well with his new foster family, maturing in all areas of his life. Vanya is in the required national database in Russia and is eligible for adoption. Lucas Valley Community Church is committed to finding a loving, permanent Christian home for Vanya and can help with some of the costs of adoption. We would also like to remain in his life and support the new family by providing respite care.	Vanya’s story Ideal Family Profile Application Process How you can help Home Page Meet Vanya Vanya at SFO airport with Russian Foster Family , LVCC/Rotary friends Vanya's first meal in the United States Vanya with Russian Grandma Galena contact us: afamilyforvanya@yahoo.com

Vanya was born in the Kaluga region of Russia. His young Russian parents gave him up at birth because they felt that they could not care for him due to his multiple birth defects (goldenhar syndrome.) He was born with a cleft lip/palate, a missing left ear and a lack of vision in his left eye due to an overgrowth of skin (dermoid.) He lived in the hospital for 18 months and then was transferred to the Ermolino Children's Orphanage at age 2.

Vanya in the orphanage (2nd from right, arms up)

Members of Lucas Valley Community Church in San Rafael, CA, met Vanya when he was 4 years old.

Vanya at age 4, before any surgeries

The church was sponsoring the orphanage and raising funds for repairs and services. When church members first met Vanya in the orphanage, he was a lively, curious, interactive boy who could not be forgotten by the visitors. The church decided to help Vanya and spent 3 years arranging for his trip to the United States. In the meantime, at age 6, he was transferred to another orphanage for special needs children.

Vanya finally came to the United States in 2003 to live with a wonderful Russian foster family in Sacramento while receiving free treatment at Shriner’s Hospital. The Novato Sunrise Rotary sponsored his trip and continues to support him monthly, along with Lucas Valley Church. The Russian family taught him English and how to be a part of a family. He did not attend school regularly in Sacramento, due to multiple surgeries.

Vanya with Rotary and Lucas Valley friends

In April of 2005, Vanya went to live with a new foster family in San Rafael, CA, near Lucas Valley Community Church. The foster family in Sacramento could no longer care for him because they were moving to New Jersey and were expecting another baby in addition to their 3 young children.

Vanya is doing very well with his new foster family, maturing in all areas of his life.

Vanya is in the required national database in Russia and is eligible for adoption. Lucas Valley Community Church is committed to finding a loving, permanent Christian home for Vanya and can help with some of the costs of adoption. We would also like to remain in his life and support the new family by providing respite care.