Our International Programmes
Playroom Programme
We have a large playroom within the orphanage. When we visit, we cook with the children, usually pancakes with jam, make chai, sing, chat, talk, share our lives, strengthen our bonds with each child and discuss their schoolwork, their dreams, or their family connections, if there are any.We need to establish strong bonds with each child as our main programmes are post orphanage when they start life in Colleges and Universities, so the stronger the bond with each child, the better hope we have of advising, mentoring and supporting them during the very difficult transitional time when they leave those walls for the first time. They are usually 15, 16 or 17 years old at this point and vulnerable.
The playroom needs constant replenishing. We also need a flow of gifts for both birthdays and Christmas. We usually buy on request on these occasions, as we do not like everyone getting the same gifts.
For the playroom, birthdays and Christmas, we need support with toys, books, phones, instruments, art equipment, craft equipment, cosmetics and hygiene products.
Social Integration Programme
This includes supporting and encouraging children in orphanages to participate in activities within the wider community so that they are mixing with “family children”. We do this by supplying the necessary sports equipment and training to ensure they participate in local sporting competitions (soccer/basketball/volleyball/cross country skiing etc.) and also bring the children out on trips to the cinema and theatre and local cafes on their birthdays. We also have classes in music and dance. These programmes allow us to break down the barricades that serve to isolate orphans from the wider community.Life Skills Programme
We provide classes in cooking, sewing, wood craft, crochet, knitting, computers and budgeting to ensure they have useful skills when they leave the orphanage and have to take care of themselves.Post Care Programme
This time in the children’s lives is the most difficult. They leave the security of the orphanage, which is all they have known, with very little experience of the outside world. They have no role model parents and they are exceptionally institutionalised. The children go straight to hostels, which is far from ideal, and are quickly exposed to alcohol, drugs and prostitution, so they need constant monitoring at this point. We need support to supply them with blankets, pots and pans, hygiene equipment, duvets, kitchen utensils, cookbooks, lamps, hairdryers, books and legal assistance.All orphans in Russia are supplied with a room from the state. This room may be hours away from the village where they were born. We will always try to help the children to complete necessary paperwork to sell their room and buy a one room flat (of course it goes without saying that we take nothing from the children, no funds, no money, no flats. It is our job to assist and support them in any way possible and always be a part of their solution). We do advise the children to be watchful at this time, as ruthless people can take advantage of them. We fund lawyers if they need it.
We have a small, dedicated staff. We have volunteers that we trust implicitly. We have strict rules about who works with the children and who advises them or mentors them. These children are vulnerable and need guidance from the right people and protection from making unwise decisions. We have strong bonds with the Department of Education and work hand in hand with the local administration at all times.