On July 4, when Elena first arrived in Virginia from Birobidjan, Russia, she was afraid of moonbounces. But judging by the way she climbed into the moonbounce to show off at a pool party Sunday, July 24, Elena had overcome her fear.
Elena, who is an orphan, came to the United States as part of the Bridge of Hope summer hosting program, which threw the party at the Fairfax Club Estates community pool in Burke.
Operating under the umbrella adoption agency Cradle of Hope, Bridge of Hope deals specifically with Russian children aged 6 to 12. The children spend a month with a host family and attend an American summer camp. The aim is to acquaint the child with the U.S. and the family with the child, who they eventually decide to adopt or not, said Natalie Bell, assistant to the Bridge of Hope director.
"We have an over 90 percent success rate with placing children," said Bell. The host families and Bridge of Hope workers don’t tell the children about possible adoption, however, because of the chance that a family’s circumstances might change and they might not be able to adopt.
But the Fergusons of Vienna, who are Elena’s host family, would like to adopt her. They bonded quickly, said Paula Ferguson.
"She’s so resilient and strong," said Ferguson.
The Fergusons don’t speak Russian and Elena doesn’t speak English, but they communicate using hand signals, picture books and language tapes. Watching Elena with her host parents, who have two teenagers of their own, it is hard to tell that a language barrier exists between them.
"Sometimes I think, ‘Oh, I wish I knew what she was saying,’" said Ferguson. "But she always manages to get her point across."
Elena attends summer camp at the Vienna YMCA, said host father Arnie Ferguson, and by luck, found another camper who spoke Russian as well.
"They made friends quickly," said Arnie Ferguson.
"It’s a big adventure for her," said Paula Ferguson. "It is a lot of fun." She added that Elena could be shy at first, but then becomes very outgoing.
"She’s really blended in, become part of the family," said Paula Ferguson.
As Arnie Ferguson and Elena sat at a picnic table and ate watermelon together, it was hard to tell that they weren’t already family.