Hope is fading...

Each year, 15-20,000 orphans "graduate" from Russian orphanages. These "emancipated" orphans have few skills to cope with life outside an institution. More than half fall into lives of crime, prostitution, and drugs or join the more than 1 million homeless teenagers living on the street. Ten percent commit suicide. A wonderful organization, MiraMed, exists to help these children cope by teaching basic independent living and life skills to live a successful life. The first Center opened in the fall of 2000 with 4 students in Moscow. MiraMed has Centers in Moscow, Uglich and St. Petersburg and sister programs in Ryazan and Perm serving almost 1200 children and young adults. The two-year program is taught by Russian psychologists and social workers and includes curriculum-based education as well as visits, excursions and practical "real life work". Included in the program is a strong focus on health, safety and legal rights.
Also a focus of MiraMed is their anti-trafficking program that protects Russian girls and young women from being trafficked overseas. MiraMed founded the Angel Coalition, the first and now the largest, most successful anti-trafficking coalition in Russia whose members provide public education and training and support for the rescue, return and rehabilitation of trafficking survivors. Why do I tell you all this?

A few days ago, MiraMed’s headquarters in Moscow was stormed by Russian police, who seized control of the building, arrested the managers and ordered their staff to leave the premises. With help from their friends from the city government, MiraMed staff members were allowed back into the building but all internet, telephones and power are cut off. The building has been declared a fire hazard and remains in the control of armed police.

Russia's new president, Dmitry Medvedev will take office in two days and Putin will become Prime Minister. Under Putin, the press and opposition have been muzzled, but Medvedev is reputed to be a liberal and some are predicting that his term will see more freedoms and less anti-western rhetoric. Medvedev said in a recent news conference when questioned about Putin's role in his presidency, "The president governs Russia." Putin, meanwhile, said at a February news conference that "the highest executive power in the country is the Russian government, headed by the prime minister."

I was so hopeful when the former Soviet Union collapsed. My hope has faded. The Russia people are losing what freedom they have left and the old regime has returned.