September Poludino Birthday Parties

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

There was a time, when very few of the children at Poludino Orphanage knew their birthdate. Now, nearly all of them do, thanks to Judy Perlstein! The children look forward to the month of their birthday, knowing they will be a year older, and there will be a special celebration in their honor.

Thank you Judy, for making so many children happy!

More Siblings Reunions (Different Orphanages)

Recently a Siblings Reunion occurred for the first time, for siblings divided between Sokolovka Orphanage and the Regional Orphanage. Siblings from the Sokolovka Orphanage, excitedly made the hour trip to Petropavlovsk to see their anxiously awaiting siblings! You can see in their eyes and smiles how much this time together meant to them!

Sadly, because of space limitations, not all the siblings from Sokolovka were able to go this trip. There are some siblings, such as the twins mentioned in a previous post, that have yet to be reunited. We are in the process of arranging another Siblings Reunion between these two orphanages for the children not able to participate in this one.

We will arrange these reunions as often as funds allow. Donations may be made for the Siblings Reunions through the PayPal button, or by sending a check to the Antares Foundation.

September Student of the Month

Congratulations to Zarifa!

The Student of the Month Project encourages those in the RBS senior class to study and keep their grade average high. Each month a prize is awarded to the "best student."

1st Siblngs Reunion of the '08-'09 School Year

Siblings separated and living at different orphanages (Poludino, RBS, and Children's Village) were recently reunited for the afternoon at the RBS Orphanage. There they were able to spend a few sweet and special hours together.

Those of you familiar with the Antares Siblings Reunions will see many new faces, as this was the first Siblings Reunion for several sets of siblings. Some had only recently been separated, when the older sibling "graduated" from the pre-school orphanage in Poludino and was transferred to the RBS. For others, it has been years since the siblings have seen each other.

These reunions are always touching! You can see in the photos how much being together means to the siblings. Due to losses in their lives and the differences in their ages, they have been separated. Thanks to kind sponsors these siblings are able to have a few hours of happiness together each month.

Five Siblings Reunited

"I'm So Happy to See My Sister Again!"

Sharing A Snack Together

" Hello! Thank You!"

Brotherly Love

Children at the RBS Perform for the Siblings

Older Children Also Do a Presentation

Time to Say Good-bye

Until Next Month

Good-bye

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We are in the process of arranging siblings reunions for siblings separated between the Regional Boarding School Orphanage and Sokolovka Orphanage.

To help make siblings reunions possible for more siblings, and for the current siblings reunions to continue, please consider making a donation to the Antares Siblings Reunion Fund.

Newest Antares Scholarship Recipient

This is Zhenya, the newest Antares scholarship recipient. Zhenya lived at the Regional Orphanage last year. This year she is a student at the Railway College in Petropavlovsk. The railway is the major mode of transportation for Kazakhstan citizens to travel between distant cities in their country. Zhenya is studying for a railway job.

The Antares Medical Fund has also made it possible for Zhenya to receive some needed medical treatment. We first learned of Zhenya two years ago, when the orphanage asked us for funds to help with her treatment. I met Zhenya when I visited Petropavlovsk in June 2006. She came up to me, on her own initiative to say "thank you to Antares" for helping her. I was very impressed with her. She is a kind girl with a positive attitude.

There are many other children, who like Zhenya, with a little help and some encouragement, could have a better future. If you wish to help one of these children, consider a monthly or one-time donation to the Antares Scholarship Fund.


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Gifts for Sponsored Children

Thank you, sponsors!

These children recently received gifts from their sponsors.

Thank you, Todd, Colleen, George and Rhonda!