|
|
Information about Russian orphans
- Figures that estimate the number of homeless children in Russia are somewhat
unreliable. The Russian Children's Fund estimated in 2001 that there were some 2.5
million homeless children, although other estimates reached as high as 4 million;
- Baby and toddler orphans live in "baby homes" until they are about 5 years old. If a
child is not adopted before they reach age 5 (and most are not), the young children
are sent to an orphanage where most children range in age from 5 to 16;
- At age 15 or 16, the orphans "graduate" from the orphanage environment and most
are "on their own" to attend vocational or trade schools. These children have lived in
the orphanage environment their entire life and most have no idea of how to live on
their own and take responsibility. Most will quickly get frustrated and turn to drugs and
alcohol.
- One report indicates that 9 out 10 graduate orphans end up in crime, prison, and
prostitution;
- There are more than 120 orphanages in the St. Petersburg area of Russia, where Big
Family started its ministry;
- After the fall of Soviet rule in 1991, the number of abandoned children has risen
sharply;
- Poverty and unemployment continue to be big problems in Russia. One report
indicates that about 27 percent of Russia’s population continues to live below the
official monthly subsistence level of $60.
- Most Russian orphans would be in foster homes if they were in America. There is no
developed foster home system in Russia. Although placing a child in an orphanage
costs the government more than placing a child in a foster home in Russia, the
government has been slow in encouraging the development of foster homes. Big
Family Mission encourages the development of foster homes and foster home
programs in Russia.
- The vast majority of orphans in Russia are “social orphans”; one report estimates that
95% of Russian orphans have at least one living parent. Many of these children have
been abandoned by their parents, and some have a mother or father who cannot care
for them because of illness, imprisonment, or addiction to drugs.
- Conditions in orphanages vary greatly. Most do not have adequate plumbing or
physical facilities. Children live in crowded quarters and many personal items and
clothing items are in short supply. Many orphanages do not have bathing or shower
facilities for the children, and many do not have washing machines to wash the
children's clothing. Food is usually adequate, but fruit is usually a rare treat for the
children.
- Although the living conditions for the orphans in Russia may need improving, the real
tragedy for Russian orphans is that they live in a protected and very regimented
environment for 15 or 16 years, and then "graduate" into a world where they have little
chance of succeeding. The system is indeed setting them up for failure. Big Family
Mission is working with other organizations in Russia to try to change this system and
give orphans opportunities to succeed.
For more information about orphans and children at risk in Russia, the CoMission for
Children at Risk is an excellent resource. You will also find there much information
about other organizations and ministries that work with orphans in Russia and other
eastern European countries. Their web address: www.comissionforchildren.com .
|
