Podolsk Orphanage

There are an estimated 800,000 children in institutional care in Russia. Two classifications exist to identify these children. The first is "social orphan." A social orphan is a child who has an identified family member, but for whatever reason that family member cannot or will not take care of the child. It could be due to financial difficulties, alcoholism, abuse, neglect, or lack of proper housing. In addition, children born with disabilities are disproportionately abandoned in Russia. In most cases, a social orphan is not available for adoption and is forced to live their life in an institution.
A “true” orphan is a child with no known relatives. A true orphan is available for adoption by American couples once he/she has been placed on the Russian Federal Registry for a minimum of six months and not adopted by Russian families. Healthy babies are the most sought after, especially female babies. There is a growing movement in Russia to encourage Russian families to adopt and they have had limited success. Fortunately, Russia is moving to community and family care. Getting one child out of an orphanage is easy to imagine, but getting 800,000 out and ending the use of institutions is more complex. President Vladimir Putin has made it a national priority to move children out of orphanages and into families, and Russian leaders are implementing this work. The World Health Organization is working with Russia and many other countries to help move children from institutions to community care. Kids are placed in institutions as a result of formal government policies, medical and professional practices, and cultural beliefs. It is my hope that Russia will move forward to promote foster care and help families with young disabled babies and children obtain support and skills to keep their children at home. It is also my hope that more American and Russian families open their hearts and homes to the tens of thousands of children who desperately want a family. Spread the word.

Photo: Exterior of Podolsk Orphanage