Rufina had been seeing multiple doctors for her health conditions. However, with the help of an OBI-funded pool program, the young girl has regained her health.

 ALMATY, Kazakhstan – A day at the pool helped turn Rufina's life around.

The 8-year-old has been seeing a cardio-rheumatologist for a heart condition and a neuropathologist for internal damage of her nervous system. Even though she managed to get good grades in school, everything else in her life suffered due to her medical conditions.

Rufina's mother didn't have enough money to enroll her daughter in any extracurricular activities to help strengthen her heart, which is what the doctors had recommended. Everything she had went to pay the medical bills.

"I am raising my girl on my own," the single mother said. "I have to rely on myself only."
When her mother enrolled her in the "Swimming Pool" project, funded by OBI, the young girl was initially scared. She didn't like the water and didn't know how to swim.

The Pool Project is the first of its kind in Almaty and is offered to 40 children enrolled at a local school that specializes in hearing and speech impairments.

"She is not afraid of the water anymore," her mother said. "She has learned how to swim, and even dive."

Since participating in the pool program, Rufina's health has drastically improved. Her heart condition has stabilized and her overall health has turned around.

The Pool Project is the first of its kind in Almaty and is offered to 40 children enrolled at a local school that specializes in hearing and speech impairments. The swim time is during their regular school day.

The goal of the Pool Project is to teach the children how to swim, enjoy physical activity and give them tools to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

"We have completed our second swimming course and my daughter has improved even more," Rufina's mother said. "Even her mood has improved."

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more. Please make an online contribution toward OBI's Orphan's Promise today and help us continue to reach those in need.