On an overcast autumn morning a limousine parked near the orphanage entrance.  What was that?

“Who’s visiting?” – nursemaids wondered, staring out the window.  Nothing special. Just that our kids are going on a tour with the volunteers from Shag Navstrechu.  If ordinary school kids can sometimes afford a limo tour at the end of the school year, why can’t we have such a holiday once in a lifetime, too? Especially for free.

All our projects usually start with a phrase: Why not? We dream and let our imagination roam free – and afterwards work hard making our dreams come true.  Of course, we weren’t planning to hire a limousine and pay for it – this would truly be impermissible luxury. So, we were just waiting until a company comes forward – a company generously willing to share this joy with us. And it was found - thanks to the initiative of our volunteer Artem Maksimov.   We will proudly reveal its name to everyone (are the others a little envious yet?)  It is the Limousine Empire!

The kids, excited, were getting ready. We spent three evenings in a row and then the morning before the tour trying on various outfits.  To make this cloudy day brighter – the responsibility fell solely on our shoulders.  We felt the whole importance of this crucial mission.  Words fail to express just what happiness filled the kids, once they were getting into the limo.  We had a ride round the most beautiful sights of our city and took a walk in Palace Square. We had dinner in a small and cozy café Barvinok, serving Ukrainian cuisine, whose friendly owner had invited us beforehand.  In the café, the kids had great food, and we’re very grateful to the owner Ruslana and her staff for their hospitality.   We’re also really thankful to our beloved doctor, Sergey Zhuravsky, who suggested this wonderful place to us.

It is simple things that bring us joy.  For a large limousine rental company, two hours on a Monday was not a great loss to the budget.  In the same way, to the café owner treating the kids felt like a simple and natural thing to do.  It makes us happy to think that we live in a city of people who appreciate the pleasure of simple things.  Because for our kids it is something they will remember all their lives.