Sidney Herald

Adapting to life on an eastern Montana farm is a whole new and exciting time for two Russian girls who have recently been adopted by a rural Bainville family.

Liza, 12, and Oksana, 7, who will start school in Bainville this week, are excited and happy to be in America and a part of a loving family. "When they were asked what they are most excited about in being adopted and moving to America, Oksana said she was most excited about being a part of a happy family and Liza said she was excited about everything," Katie Harmon, their mother, said. "They both wanted to be adopted and wanted to come to the United States because they knew it would be a chance at a better life, but I don't think they totally understand the whole scope of everything yet. They are still overwhelmed with all of the adjustments."

Katie and Garth Harmon decided they wanted to expand their family of four to six by adopting Liza and Oksana from an orphanage north of Moscow, Russia. The Harmons have two sons, Rhett, 9, and Haydon, 6, and they are excited about their new sisters.

Liza and Oksana arrived in the Bainville area April 4 and have been busy adjusting to life on the farm in America.

One of the biggest adjustments besides culture has been the difference in diet.

In the Russian orphanage, the girls' diet consisted mainly of soup, bread and fish. Fruits and vegetables were considered treats back in Russia and were not generally available to the girls.

"They never had fresh fruit and vegetables or meat besides fish. They choose very healthy food to eat, different stuff than what most American children would pick to eat. I will wash off a cucumber or tomato and that's what they would prefer over cookies," their mother said. "They are used to soup and fish, and not much variety, so they just look at a burrito like, 'what is that?' They crave fresh vegetables and fruit."

Though the language barrier is difficult, the Harmons are learning more Russian and the girls are picking up more and more English every day.

"We've learned to communicate through some gestures too," Harmon said.

The girls have also been enjoying the luxuries that are commonplace in daily American life such as watching television and raiding the pantry, but prefer to be active.

Learning to ride bikes only took the girls about 20 minutes and that has proven to be one of their favorite outdoor activities.

"They are tough. When they taught themselves to ride bikes they just kept crashing and crashing over and over until they learned. Oksana came in from learning to ride the bike all scrapped up and bleeding but didn't cry at all," Harmon said. "They like to play hard."

They have also been learning the ways of American recreation through softball and football playing in the yard.

Spending time in their rooms with the doors closed has also been a new aspect a life the girls have been enjoying.

"They've never had much privacy in the orphanage so they like to shut their doors and listen to music. That's something they've never been able to do before," Harmon said.

There are many cultural differences the Harmons are learning about.

"In their culture it's rude to ask a stranger 'how are you doing,' because they considering it prying into someone's life and you shouldn't ask such questions unless you know someone well and really want to know how they are doing," Harmon said. "In Russia they don't smile at strangers, even when they are serving you in a restaurant or something. I don't think they show a lot of emotions either in Russia, which is different than it is here."

The Harmons are not only happy to have more children in their home, but they are also delighted that by adopting Liza and Oksana, the girls will have a better chance at a happy and productive life.

"Life is bleak for those who spend their childhoods in orphanages in Russia. They have a stigma, which makes it hard to find a job, find housing or even find someone to marry," Harmon said. "About 10 percent commit suicide in the first year after they leave the orphanage, about 30 percent or so get involved with drugs, alcohol or prostitution. The economy is very bad there. We are happy to provide a loving home for these girls to grow up in here in America".

Liza had been in the orphanage for five years and Oksana had been there for two years prior to adoption. The chances of adoption are pretty slim for most children in the orphanages in Russia with this only being the second adoption ever at the orphanage where they lived.

"Most of the children end up in orphanages because of economic reasons or alcoholism. Most of them end up there because their parents couldn't afford to keep them. Bringing them here they have a much better chance at a happy and productive life," Harmon said.

The adoption process was long and involved a lot of paper work, but Harmon encourages anyone considering adopting Russian children to do it because of the rewarding experience for all involved.

"It's a challenge, but is very rewarding. We are happy to answer any questions from anyone who might be considering something like this," Harmon said.

ellenr@sidneyherald.com