|
Russian Orphans and Orphanages
When you think of an orphanage one would imagine a safe haven for those children who find themselves in a position of hardship. You may think of a safe, warm dry place to sleep and a high standard of care provided until the child could return to a functional family. However, to many millions of children the reality often unfortunately means a rusty shower with only cold water or no shower at all, toilet that is just a bucket or frozen outhouse, a leaky roof so that the floor of the bedroom is sodden with rot. MINIMAL FOOD, MINIMAL STAFF ASSISTANCE, A LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, OVERCROWDING AND A LACK OF LOVE. When you look further afield in more remote areas the conditions are often worse!
In Russia this is an everyday reality, and a large amount of homeless children shelters do not have State support, therefore rely on their own resources and initiatives to survive. A consistent problem faced is renovations and the lack of equipment needed to give children the most basic of care.
Statistics
There are 2.5 million homeless children and 617,000 disabled children in Russia (Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs).
50% of children in Russia are born into poverty-stricken families.
There are over 700,000 orphans who currently live in Russia, with the annual rate increasing at over 100,000. There are 2,176 orphanages in Russia today, a figure which has increased by more than 100% in the last decade.
According to UNICEF, more than 50,000 children in Russia have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Approximately 70% of medical equipment in Russian hospitals is outdated, in ill repair or simply broken down.
Only 15-20% of newborn Russian children are considered healthy.
The Russian Ministry of Education states that about 15,000 children leave Russian orphanages each year. Of this number 40% become involved in crime, 10% commit suicide, 33% stay unemployed, 20% become homeless and many revert to prostitution.
Most shelters for homeless children in Russia have no state support. They rely exclusively on private donations to feed the children they care for. Most Russian orphanages lack funding for basic medicine and hygiene items. (Russian Children's Welfare Society).
We kindly ask for your much needed support!
|
