Opochka in Russia counts around 11,000 inhabitants, 70 of whom live in the town’s orphanage. Currently, boys and girls from six to 19 years live there. The orphanage, with a boarding school, is specialized for children with mild disability and integration problems, who were declared incapable of pursuing their studies in a regular college. Having experienced real tragedies they can now call the orphanage their safe haven. These children suffer from a lack of love, warmth of family and recognition. Their parents have either passed away or they have lost their parental rights due to alcoholism or violence. Very often the families are simply too poor to keep the children.
Two main buildings are the home to 70 children. The building comprises the school, which was built in 1965, and the residential building from 1938. The children are separated by groups of ten of different ages. Each group is supported by two educators. Currently, there are seven groups of children. In the group the children enjoy a family-like atmosphere and can establish a long-term relationship with their educators, which gives them the necessary stability in life. Later, at the age of 18, the children will learn basic skills such as, bricklaying, painting, carpentry, dressmaking or cooking. So they are able to carry on their own lives once they are grown up.
Like many other orphanages Opochka lacks basic daily commodities - financial State support is barely existent. The opherange needs to buy meals, commodities and medical support but without any support this is almost impossible. Here the H. Stepic CEE Charity, together with the charitable association kleine herzen, comes into the picture.
To improve living conditions of the children, the defect flooring in both the school and the residential building, in which the sleeping rooms of the children are situated, has been replaced. The floors were not isolated and in winter the temperatures usually sink to less than 15° C. This is neither comfortable to sleep for the children, nor is it an adequate surrounding while they are studying. Except for that, the penetrating dampness and fungus on the walls harms the children’s health.
Moreover, the Charity with its donations sponsored the installation of a psychological rehabilitation room. Professional psychological and sensorial equipment helps the psychologists to treat children with strong traumata in a better way.
With the support of the Charity the children have a chance of a better life and to experience a safe home environment within the walls of Opochka.
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