From Russia With a Message of Hope

Singing and dancing to Russian folk songs, a troupe of children from St. Petersburg entertained visitors to Mission San Juan Capistrano this week as part of a mission of their own.

The Performers of St. Petersburg Detsky Doms, a group of 16 orphaned boys and girls, are on a goodwill exhibition tour across Southern California.

Sponsored by the Nightlight Foundation, the troupe’s third annual visit is devoted to raising awareness to the plight of the 5,000 orphans in St. Petersburg and to encourage American adoptions.

“There’s nothing that gets the word out better than seeing the kids,” said Ronald L. Stoddart, foundation president. He adopted his 12-year-old daughter, Liana, from St. Petersburg last year. “The tour spurs an interest in the kids.”

The foundation, based in Brea, helps to facilitate U.S. adoptions as well as provide the orphaned children with scholarships, counseling, support and medical equipment or supplies.

In the past four years, the foundation has helped American families adopt 263 St. Petersburg orphans, 30 of whom live in Orange County.

“Most of these children wouldn’t have been adopted if they hadn’t been seen,” Stoddart said.

Since arriving in California last week, the troupe has performed at Universal City Walk in Universal City, Disneyland, Adventure City in Stanton and Sea World. Between shows, they have visited the beach and local tourist spots.

The tour will end with a 7 p.m. performance today at Calvary Chapel in Downey.

The children, who range in age from 7 to 12 years old, shared through an interpreter the highlights of their visit.

“The first thing I’m going to tell my friends is we’ve been to Disneyland and the beach,” said Sveta Serogodskaya, 11.

Added 11-year-old Maksim Bubnov: “I didn’t think it would be so much fun at Disneyland.”

Information: (714) 990-4952.