What's In A Hat?

Last month a volunteer friend of mine named DuVale who was serving in a nearby city posted on Facebook looking to see if anyone knew kids in need of hats and scarves. Having worked with the kids at the orphanage I responded that I was sure I could find some kids to accept free hats and scarves- but that I also wanted more information on what exactly the story was with them. He told me that there is a very generous knitter from his hometown in Minnesota who had sent him several matching sets of hand knitted hats and scarves. However, with time being what it is, there was no way that he would be able to find recipients for all of them before he was to leave the country in May. I agreed to give it a try. I mean, how hard can it be to find kids for 8 hat/scarf sets and 1 new winter hat? I arranged to get the box from DuVale and started putting my feelers out. I asked Lenara what she thought of taking them to the orphanage, but she didn’t like that idea because, she asked, “what if 10 kids want hats and scarves? You wouldn’t have enough and will have to disappoint someone.” Of course, she was right. We started asking around if anyone knew any kids who needed a new set before we gave them to kids who wanted them. We got some wonderful referrals from organizations we work with. I saw a lot of smiles and heard a lot of words of thanks as kids, sometimes with parents, came to choose their colors and pose for a photo. One young lady named Diana came back to my office the following day with some flowers that she had picked for me in exchange for the hat and scarf. The flowers were a little soft and wilted, but the sentiment almost brought a tear to my eye. I asked her what she thought I should do with the flowers and she told me to put them in water. I did, and the next morning they had fully rehydrated and opened up. Over the course of the next few weeks I was able to find kids who needed them, or parents who wanted their kids to have them. The last set I gave was to a young man named Sergey who gave me a harmonica (if slightly used) and a pen as a thank you gift. He even showed me how to play it! All involved were appreciative, including myself. I appreciate that some woman in Minnesota, unknown to me or these kids, took the time to handcraft these items with love for people she does not know. I appreciate that DuVale was concerned that they get to kids who needed them. I appreciate that as I get ready to leave Ukraine for the last time I know that there are 9 kids who will have warm heads and necks next winter, which in turn gives me a warm heart.
So, to the woman in Minnesota who took the time and effort to create these gifts, for myself and on behalf of the recipients, I want to say “thank you” for your generosity. The world needs more people like you in it. I did the best I could to get these gifts where they will do the most good, and I hope it is what you were hoping to see. 

Sergey, who returned to the market where his mom works and declared me his new best friend after he showed me how to play my new harmonica.

My friend Tanya's niece.

Sophia, who's mom works at the market and heard great things about the hats and scarfs.

Diana. She loves this photo so much that I printed out two copies and wrote her a letter on the back before I gave it to her. Then she did the same for me.

These are the flowers Diana brought me.

Lenara posing with Anton. The was no matching scarf with this hat.

Katarina and Sabrina, some of the first recipients of the gifts.

Lena's daughter Tanya, modeling her set (I think it was about 100 degrees in the office when we took this shot). I told to hang on until next winter.

Lenara kept telling Danil that this color was for girls and that he should choose a "more manly" color, but he insisted this was his favorite.