In the past, small amounts of the money have helped renovate an old bathroom at the worn-down facility in Russia. Eva Bates and various travel companions, including her son and granddaughter, Martin and Katie Bates, have updated the kitchen area, and this year, a similar group visiting Russia will help rebuild a room where the children shower.

"There is just so much need," Eva Bates said. "We just keep chipping away at the fund we've built up."

The girls who came to America range in age from 14 to 16 and will soon be deciding whether to pursue higher education. Martin Bates said he hopes that giving them an opportunity to see how other people live and what a benefit an education would be to them will help make the decision easier.

"We hope to broaden their view of the world," he said. "I hope this gets them talking and thinking about how the rest of the world works, rather than believing everything they see on TV."

Additional donations are needed to accomplish all the Bates family wants to accomplish, but they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of donors so far. Orphanages, which for the most part are nonexistent in the United States, are not well-funded in any society, Martin Bates said. "There are not a lot of resources to help.

"It's very fulfilling to see them enjoy something so much," he said. The girls were expected to return to their home on Monday, along with all the gifts and trinkets they've purchased on their voyage to America to share with the 175 additional orphans back home.

For more information about the Tilsit Orphan Education Fund, to make donations or see photos of current and past projects there, visit tilsit.homestead.com.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com