Fotona skickades till oss av adoptivmamman Anna i USA.

Mail till oss 14 augusti från familjen som adopterade 3 systrar från Likumi barnhem. Flickorna har nu fått nya namn.

1991-10-15 - Marta Araja
1995-09-02 - Madara Araja
1994-01-26 - Elina Araja
-----------
Well, it's been way too long since I wrote you. I sent a letter at Christmastime, but it didn't seem to make it to the site, so I thought I'd write you now and update you on the girls.

Overall, they are all doing great. Marta has started in a 'hair design' school, so when she graduates from high school in 2010, she will have a degree in hair styling and can have a good job as she goes further to university. She is doing college classes as well as high school right now. She also got her drivers license about a month ago, and so her freedom is really opening up for her. She just made the high school soccer team(football in European language) and is excited about that. She works part time as well at a neighborhood store. She had ear surgery this summer, and fixed her hearing problem. She now has hearing for the first time that she can remember, in her left ear!!!

Elina (Anita) is doing fair. She is struggling with behavior problems. She is getting some help with her anger outbursts (has been in trouble with the police actually), and sees doctors regularly to try to get some good help. She is behind in school, and really struggles. Hopefully we can continue to get her the help she needs and not have anyone else get hurt because her anger is so strong. She is making better progress in other areas however, and loves to do artwork and handwork like sewing and crafts. She learned to swim this summer and loves that also.

Madara (Lydia) is doing well. She has had a little part time job this summer helping an older lady clean her house. She goes every Thursday to help her. She goes to the next higher school this year, and is excited about the freedom that will bring. She will change classes every hour and have a different teacher. She loves to read, and loves to go with her friends. She is a fish in the water, and loves to swim!

All in all, our family is still doing well. Marta will be the oldest at home here in another month. Natalie graduated from high school and will go to university soon.

Thank you for keeping in touch with us. Hope all is well there. Give everyone our love!!!

Sincerely, Kim and Anna Christensen

USA   2008-11-21 07:35
The girls are doing superbly. Marta has her driving license now, and is going to college for hair design. She absolutely loves it. She also takes high school classes, and has one more year before she will graduate. She was on the soccer team this year, and has had her first date! She loves her life, and keeps the others in line.

Elina is having a harder time. She has had some behavioral problems, and got in trouble with the law. She has had a big problem with her temper and is taking some outside classes, and outside of home behavioral teaching moments to help her understand that we will not allow that in our home. She is making slow progress, but is at least going uphill now instead of downhill.

Madara is doing great. She is doing very well in school, has learned English well and keeps plugging away with her grades. She will play basketball on an organized team this winter, and is looking forward to that. She is learning to sew, and has made several crocheted hats for the homeless shelter here. She has made some blankets, and recently helped an older couple rake their entire lawn of leaves!!

We definitely are blessed and love our girls. Thank you for all you do!!! Yes, you can post this too!! Much love, Anna and family

Julen 2006 - Syskonen Elina (nu Anita) till vänster, Marta (grön jumper) och Madara (nu Lydia) längst till höger.

 

Jag kompletterar med text som kom från adoptivmamman Anna i USA. Flickorna har också bytt namn.

 

2007-01-02 - Unfortunately, having so many kids doesn't allow for too many regular updates, especially teenagers...6 of them!!!

 

Anita is now Elina´s new name and Lydia is Madara´s name.

 

All girls are going by the names that they have requested be used. All of them chose "American names"..... but after arriving here, Marta just figured Julianna was too long to put with Christensen. We assured her early on that it would be.... hehehe

 

Thanks so much for your consistency in keeping up with us. The girls are doing well, having lots of good experiences, and have many, many friends. They have truly been a joyous addition to our family. School is hard for Elina.... Marta and Madara seem to be flying with their classes. We may be making some adjustments with Elina's education here shortly....possibly putting her back a grade, same as she was there at Likumi. We don't want it to affect her self-esteem, but she is not keeping up with others her age right now.

 

Otherwise, the kids are all doing well. They have meshed into our family famously.... and we all just love them to death. They try hard, they enjoy church and reading their scriptures with us, and we are just so happy. Thanks so much to all of you who help support the orphanage at Likumi. Our only suggestion would be to help more with programs for the older children. Seems from what the girls have told us, there is very little as far as training programs for older years, or things to keep the older kids out of trouble with the availability of alcohol, etc. that is experimental. We feel very blessed, and appreciate all that you have done for our girls and ultimately for our family. Sincerely and with love,

 

I should probably tell you, Gunnell, that the picture behind Madara of Mia Hamm, was drawn by Marta. She sketched it in about an hour. We are very proud of them and their talents!!! Elina radiated the night of the "Miss America" pageant at the church. All girls were treated as royalty and as "Daughters of God". It was a very fun night.

 

The picture of Marta with the other girl (who happened to show up dressed like her)....is of her close friend here....another young lady who is also adopted, and is originally from the Ukraine. Marta and Rachel speak Russian together regularly. Birthdays are a big deal here...especially with children who all send presents to each other. A birthday generally lasts about four days, by the time the mail brings gifts from all over the country. Santa was a big hit at our family Christmas party this year. I am on the right side of Santa, and my husband, Kim, is next to me. I'm holding one of the granddaughters.....who were all present and loving the attention Santa brought us. Thanks for sharing our photos!!! Kim, Anna and family

2006-12-27 - Vi fick bl a följande foton nedan från familjen, som adopterat syskonen Elina, Madara och Marta Arajas. Det kom många bilder, men dessa visar de barn som de adopterat från Likumi och som vi kunde identifiera. Det känns otroligt att se Elina, som enligt uppgift var så väldigt sjuk när hon bodde på barnhemmet. Vid senare kontroll i USA efter adoptionen visade det sig att hon var frisk men levt i dålig miljö. Fotona skickades till oss av adoptivmamman Anna i USA.

.

Elina vid någon högtid som vi inte känner till, men på bandet står det "God".

Minstingen Madara, kanske är intresserad av fotboll. Det fanns ingen text till bilderna.

 

 

 

Marta har födelsedag.

 

Marta och kanske en syster från familjen, vi vet inte, men det finns väldigt många barn.

 

Elina tillsammans med familjen vid julfirande.

 

Fotona skickades till oss av adoptivmamman Anna i USA.

2006-04-26 - Ieva besökte mig i helgen och då översatte hon brev som kommit till henne:

Some quick translation below made by Gunnel:

 

Till Baltic 2000 kom det brev från den familj i USA som adopterade syskonen Elina, Madara och Marta Arajas. Mamman Anna hade summerat året och också bifogat ett foto på den stora familjen. 26 personer med vuxna barn och barnbarn. Så vitt förstår så är det nu 6 barn som bor hemma, varav 3 är från Lettland. Det var många som engagerade sig i sjuka Elina. Nu har det visat sig att hon inte alls är speciellt sjuk. Det var den dåliga miljön som påverkade bl a hennes njurar och allmänhälsotillstånd.

 

Brev från Elina som hon har skrivit till Likumi barnhem i början av 2006. Vi har fått kopia av brevet tillsammans med ett brev som adoptivmamman Anna i USA har skrivit till oss och som hon adresserat till "Dear Family and Friends".

 

Hej Lettland
Hur har ni det? Jag har det bra. Jag går i en bra skola i 6e klass. jag spelar basket och fyllde 12 år. Jag går itll kyrkan varje söndag. Mitt födelsedagskalas var 4 dagar. Hur har Seltite och alla andra? Jag är väldigt lycklig. Jag lär mig spela piano och läser 15 sidor varje dag. Jag vet att ni har kallt men i USA är det varmare än i Lettland. Jag och hela min familj går tillsammans till affären. Var vänlig och berätta för Svetlana att jag går till kyrkan. På min födelsedag gick vi till en restaurang. Till skolan fick jag pizza och dricka. Jag älskar er. Hej då

 

Some quick translation below made by Gunnel:

Baltic 2000 got a letter from the family Anna in USA adopting the sieblings Elina, Madara and Marta Arajas. Mother Anna had made a summery of the year and also enclosed a phote of the big famili. 26 persons with grown up and grandchildren. As we could understand 6 children is now staying home including the 3 from Latvia. Lots of peple were engaged in sick Elina. Now the know that she was not as sick as they thougt. It was more or less the bad hostings at Likumi wich gave her healt problems.

 

 

Elina had written a letter:

Hi Latvia!

How are you? I am fine. I go in a good school in 6th class. I play baske and was 12 year. I co to church every sunday. My birth day party was 4 days. How is Seltite and all the others? I am very happy. I play the piona and read 15 pages every day. I know it is cold in Latvia but in USA it is warmer. I and the hole family go shopping. Please tell Svetlanda that I go to church. At my birthday we went to a restaurant. In school I got pizza and a drink. I love you. By, Elina.

 

 

Anna i USA som skrivit till Ieva
Brev mellan Ieva i Riga och Anna, adoptivmamma, i USA:

Elina, Madara och Marta Araja- systrar som adopterats från Likumi barnhem
 2005-12-16 13:00:23

 

Anna fran USA horde av sig att det gar stralande for tjejerna dem har assimilerat sig och det gar bra i skolan bara topp betyg. Elinas halsa berodde pa ohygienisk miljo och dalig mat etc. Nu har lakaren har sagt att hon blir hur frisk som helst. Kul! Dessa flickor har verkligen fatt en andra chans i livet!!!
 

Yes, it would be fine to post what I write to you, on the Baltic 2000 site. Would you mind also updating Zenta as well? Please apologize to the 'host' families for us....I have been a bit busy keeping up with 6 kids at home, all between 10 and 15 years old. They are all at a busy time of their lives...and are very social with their friends as well. It is good, and we love it this way. It just doesn't leave a lot of time for corresponding at the end of the day! Piano lessons will also begin in January for all three girls. Marta was a little hesitant, but I assured her that if she wanted to play basketball, piano lessons come first, as both music and sports will help them be more well-rounded, and both will help with the 'left to right learning process'....ultimately helping them be better readers. They are excited now....and think it's pretty great when they watch Natalie, Nathan and Jake sit at the piano and learn how to play songs for the family. Besides, we assured Marta that there is a really cute high school boy who teaches them....and she grinned and said, "Okay!" We will keep you updated!! Thanks again for the joy you've brought into our home at this time of year. I will send pictures as soon as I can. We just had new ones made of the girls, as well as the whole family!! Much love.......Anna Hi Ieva... Thanks for your note. We are all doing great. The girls are really doing well. They are blooming and blossoming and it is wonderful to watch. I don't know if you heard or not, but Elina got a completely CLEAN bill of health on her kidney. The doctor attributes it to good hygiene, good water, and balanced meals. Amazing! We truly feel like a miracle has happened with her. They all are adjusting well with school and their social lives. Parent/teacher conferences were held last week, and all three girls are getting A's and B's---top marks---for their studies. They read each day for 20-30 minutes morning and night....and are just blooming. Basketball teams are starting up this week, and they are all on different teams, enjoying the sports and the friendships they have made. It is wonderful and we are very blessed. Thanks again for all your help and concern!! Much love........Anna P.S. We had all 26 family members at our house over the weekend. It was awonderful, wonderful day for us as parents!!

2005-10-26 - Jag skickade ett "lycka till" brev till syskonen Elina, Madara och Marta Arajas nya amerikanska mamma och nu har jag fått löfte om att publicera hennes svar:

 

2005-10-25 - Thank you for your note! We are spending our last day in Latvia, and are excited to be on our way tomorrow, via Poland, and then the USA on Thursday. Yes, we are anxious and happy that we are at this stage of the journey. Thank you for your support, love and the caring that has been offered to our children. They are beautiful girls, and we are blessed to be able to raise and support them the rest of their lives. Please thank the sponsors/godparents for their generosity and love as well. We look forward to updating you periodically and appreciate all that you do for children in general. Sincerely, Anna

 

2005-10-26 - Gunnell, yes, go ahead and publish those lines. You might add that we made it through the Visa process inPoland today, and are "Going to America" tomorrow!!! We are all excited!!! Thank you again!!! ~~Anna

2005-10-24 - Här kommer svar på vad som hänt betr adoptionen, som vi skrivit om ska ske. Den roligaste nyheten ar att adoptionen av syskonen Arraja - Elina, Madara och Marta Araja ar klar. De vantar nu de 20 dagarna nar alla har ratt att overklaga, dvs. 24 oktober aker de till Varsava och sen hem till USA. Jag har kommit overens med adoptivmamman att vi publicerar att tjejerna ar adopterade den 24 oktober. Da ar vi pa sakra sidan. Sedan har jag sagt att till dem som har varit faddrar till flickorna lamnar vi ut adoptivmammans mail sa de far ta kontakt med henne sjalva i fall de vill. Nar adoptivmamman kommer att ha tid och ork kanske hon ska skriva en berattelse hur det gick sa vi kan publicera det. Annars vill hon inte ha nagon som helst publicitet. Hur som helst, det ar jatteroligt! Flickorna verkar ma bra och borjar trivas med henne. De har bott i Jurmala och forsoker vanja sig vid varandra och gor sadana saker i Riga som en vanlig familj skulle ha gjort for lange sen - varit i gamla stan strosat runt och sant. Ieva

2005-08-03 - Hej Gunnel

 

Jag träffade igår Anna från USA. Hon är här för slutspurten av adoption för alla 3 flickorna syskonen Arraja - Elina, Madara och Marta. Anna är helt fantastisk. Hon har redan talat med sin läkare angående Elina och han är redo att ta hand om henne. Hon har grejat 3 skolor för tjejrna alltså dem får gå i seperata skolor. De ska få tolkhjälp och specialundervisning i engelska. Hon kräver att staten ställer upp och dem har sådan resurser att göra det sa hon. Hela familjen väntar med spänning att få hem sina nya syskon. Problemet är väl att det går inte så fort som i andra länder men det får man ta. OM allt gå bra och det får vi hoppas så åker tjejerna hem till USA i september.

 

Anna är väldigt sympatiskt och trevilig person. De har haft ca 200 fosterbarn i sitt hem och 3 av deras nuvarande barn är adopterade. Hon har stor erfarenhet av att ha barn med olika behov och olika utvecklingsstadier osv. Jag tror att det blir väldigt bra. Hälsningar Ieva

 

2005-03-13 - Beträffande njursjuka Elina Araja på barnhemmet ska hon nu äntligen undersökas på sjukhus i Letland så att hon får en korrekt diagnos. Elina och hennes systrar blir fia för adoption inom de närmaste dagarna. För några veckor sedan besökte en amerikan Likumi och lärde känna flickorna och han och hans fru verkar ha bestämt sig för att gå vidare med adoptionsprocessen. Hustrun Anna skulle komma till Likumi inom kort.

1991-10-15 - Marta Araja

1994-01-26 - Elina Araja

1995-09-02 - Madara Araja