I asked Tomas, a Lithuanian counselor who spoke both English and Russian, to translate. Kharkiv, Ukraine is located near the Russian border about miles east of Kyiv. The city was targeted early in the invasion and the attacks have not ceased.
Last week BBC News reported that 43 people including 12 children were injured when Russian forces shelled a residential building. Next, Russia attempted to claim the eastern Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk including the city of Donbas. Her mother remarried. She enjoys the games, crafts, and songs of Ruta Christian Camp. One of the traditions that she loves happens at meal-times. The offender must then run around the mess hall holding hands with another camper.
She looked at me with a huge grin and deliberately put her elbows on the table. I took the hint and started the song. She was so happy as she ran around the mess hall!
He is twelve-years-old with a talent for sports, especially football soccer. I had met him briefly last year, at which time he spoke no English. This year, his English had markedly improved and he could manage some conversation. He seemed a little too serious for his age, and protective of his little sister, but none of this would indicate the horrors he and his sister have had to endure in their young lives.
This year was the 25th anniversary of the camp. There are typically three weeks of camp: a week for teens, family camp, and the week mentioned here for children from years old. This year, the teen camp did not occur due to lack of funds and volunteers.
