In a heartwarming initiative, a group of Ukrainian children aged 10 to 17 recently visited LLUSD as part of a more extensive support program called Advent Hearts - “Baby, you are not alone!” The founder and creator of this program, Irina Terletskaya, wanted to provide a supportive environment that allowed children affected by the war to have some time to heal and be able to look towards a brighter future. All of the children invited to be a part of this trip tragically lost one or both parents due to the ongoing conflict in their country.
When Irina reached out to faculty member Larysa Baydala, MBA, RDH’07 there was no question that the School would open its doors to these young visitors. The children, many of whom had not been seen by dental professionals since the war began, were given thorough dental check-ups and cleanings. The hygiene students and faculty members worked tirelessly to ensure that each child received the best possible care, addressing immediate dental cleaning needs and providing education on maintaining good oral health.
Their visit to LLUSD was just one part of a month-long visit to the area. Recognizing the immense psychological toll the war has taken on these children, Irina planned various activities designed to offer emotional support and build resilience. Their home base for the month was Camp Cedar Falls in Angelus Oaks, the perfect backdrop for healing. Art therapy sessions, guided by trained psychologists, allowed the children to express their feelings and experiences through creative outlets. Group discussions, meditation, individual therapy sessions, prayer time, and excursions to places like LLUSD, the beach, and Disneyland helped foster a sense of community and belonging, reminding the children that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are still positive things in the world.
For many of these children, the visit to the School of Dentistry was a great way to see what it looks like to be a student in the dental health field. It was a day filled with smiles, laughter, and moments of joy, offering a brief but significant respite from the challenges they face. Irina hopes that this visit will be the first of many steps towards healing, helping these young individuals build a bright future despite the shadows of their past.
As the children returned home, they carried healthier smiles and a renewed sense of hope. The visit was a testament to the power of community and compassion, showing that even in the darkest times, there are always opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most. One dental hygiene student shared her feelings after the visit with her instructor, Larysa:
“Hello Mrs. Baydala,
I hope this email finds you well. I didn’t want today to be over without letting you know how thankful I am to you for making today’s clinic day possible. It would be a lie if I said that, going in today, my mind was not thinking of completing competencies, etc. However, as I got to treat my patients, I realized that no competencies will ever replace the beautiful souls and hearts of the children we got to help today or the value of this experience in our professional lives as future clinicians.
Today was such a heavy-hearted day for me emotionally, despite my inability to show it outwardly in person. Nevertheless, I wanted to express my gratitude and share the verse that described the essence of today and what God taught me and emphasized through this experience: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5
Again, thank you for involving us in this experience. I am proud that God worked with and through me today. - Ashley Perdomo, DH2”
LLUSD is proud to have had the opportunity to host this special group of children. It was a sad moment when they had to leave at the end of the day. Irina is now working on creating a non-profit that will expand the “Baby, you are not alone” project and continue to support the children of Ukraine.