Build a bath-house to benefit Russian orphans

Thank you again for contributing so generously to our project to build a bath-house for the Russian orphans that come with their children to our simple, rural centre for a summer camp each year.  The photos may not look like it, but we are well on the way to having the facilities ready, meaning that, for the first time, we will be able to provide convenient, decent washing facilities, and, at some point, access to a washing maching (very useful when we have so many toddlers and young children with us).

Building work has been carrying on since the spring, whenever we and our volunteers can get away from St Petersburg.  I say spring, but our first session in late March was hampered by deep snow and temperatures of minus 15 degrees C (5 degrees F).  We had hoped to fit new windows and doors, but this wasn't possible in such cold weather.  Just delivering the windows and doors was a heroic effort, dragging them from the main road on sledges because the delivery lorry couldn’t get through the metre of snow lying on their lane.  

Since then work has progressed considerably.  All the plumbing is in place, the sinks and showers are fitted.  We've thoroughly insulated the building, fitted the heating system and have even started on the decorating.

So, we still hope to be ready for our summer camp season this year.  If you keep in touch with how our summer camps go, or to contribute to them, please visit our page: www.globalgiving.org/projects/orphanage-parenting-russia/.  Through this page, we'll let everyone know how our parents and children get on this year.  

Links:

• Project page for our summer camps for Russian orphans