Ukrainian orphans will be visiting Chilton County for the next four weeks as part of a foreign cultural exchange program with Bridges of Faith in Billingsley.

According to Bridges of Faith Executive Assistant Olya Kim, during their visit the kids will learn basic phrases in English and visit various places, such as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and the state capitol in Montgomery.

“While they are here, we try to surround them around as many families, businesses and churches that we can, because they don’t know what it means to be part of a family or to make the right choices,” Kim said. “It allows them to see that there is another way to live life.”

One of the projects with the program allows the kids to express themselves through art.

Art was chosen as a method that the kids could connect with and allow their imagination to work.

“I think it’s very therapeutic,” Kim said.

The Chilton County Arts Council provided the art materials needed for the project, and will display the artwork at the Rose Gallery on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The kids got really excited once I told them that people will come see their art,” Kim said. “Now they are trying even harder.”

Sue Anne Hoyt with the Arts Council encourages the community to come out and see the exhibit and meet with the children.

This is the 16th group of kids that have made the trip from Ukraine to Alabama since December 2010.

This trip included 10 kids, five boys and five girls, from ages 6 to 15.

According to Kim, about three to four groups are brought over each year. The next group of kids is expected in August and followed by another around Christmas break.

“It takes a few days, but eventually they realize that everything here is for them,” Kim said. “It allows them to be normal kids, because many of them never had that opportunity.”

Several of the kids grew up without a family atmosphere and were forced to fend for themselves in many situations, Kim said.

Kim and others involved with the program visit Ukraine for a few weeks in July, and then again during fall break and spring break.

“Everybody here are volunteers that just come to spend time with the children and allow them to taste a little bit of Alabama life and culture,” Kim said.

Kim grew up in Ukraine and was introduced to Bridges of Faith in August 2012 during one of its trips to the country.

She volunteers full-time at Bridges of Faith and lives on the property along with the rest of the staff.

“Usually we don’t bring the same kids back, but we try to keep track during mission trips to Ukraine,” Kim said. “We just pray and hope that they find a loving family.”