My husband, Chris and I adopted our oldest son, Serik, from Kazakhstan in the summer of 2007. We spent two wonderful months living in Almaty and visiting Serik daily at the baby house in Karakastek, about an hour and a half away from the city.

During this time we saw first hand the profound need of the children for nutritious food, medical supplies, love and attention. Whenever we were able to be around the other children they would flock to us, calling us Mama and Papa, begging to be held. It was heart breaking. Not many of the children in orphanages are available for adoption. These children will live in the orphanages until they are 16 when they will be left to fend for themselves. There will be no place to go for these children.

This April I will be going back to Kazakhstan with Two Hearts For Hope to visit the Karakastek orphanage as well as several others in Almaty. My wish is bring these children the hope that they so desperately need. To let them know that someone, somewhere across the world loves them.

While in Kazakhstan we plan to build a playground for a children's home in Almaty and visit several other orphanages. My personal goal is to raise enough money to bring a box of medical supplies to each orphanage we visit. Each box of supplies contains over $1500 worth of medical supplies and will be procured through the charity Project C.U.R.E. for a donation of $150.

Please consider donating today to help me reach my goal and to let a child across the world know they are loved and thought of and worth it. Thank you.

Gretchen Bilbro