Orphans thrive at a new concept home

State orphanages in Russia are notorious for their lamentable conditions. In many cases, orphans are not offered the care and attention needed for normal development. As the situation crumbled after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dmitry Morozov, then a radio journalist for Mayak, understood that something had to be done. So in 1992 he founded the children’s community network “Kitezh.” Based on the essence of the fairytale village, the community was built 300 km South West of Moscow in the Kaluga region. Here, orphans can grow up with loving foster fami­lies on 100 hectares of land donated by the local administration.

“Only about five percent of children in state orphanages are true orphans,” explained Yasin Omar, teacher of Kitezh’s Fourth class and its art therapist. Figures show that of the million children in Russian state institutions, 95 percent are clas­sified as “social orphans,” which means that they have at least one living parent. The rising number of institutionalized orphans is believed to be one of the consequences of the social and economic crisis after the fall of the Soviet Union, when unemployment, alcoholism and social depression became in­evitable.

Orion, a sister-village to Kitezh, was started in 2004, mainly by Kitezh gradu­ates. Still in the development stages, Orion hopes to eventually house 20 foster fami­lies and up to 50 children. With colorful walls and light rooms, its main honey-comb-shaped residence is inviting.

The aim of these communities is to create a caring environment where children can learn and develop. “It is essential that children traumatized by abu­sive or alcoholic backgrounds be shown the positive aspects of life, restoring their faith in order and harmony,” explained Francesca Hewitt, Mos­cow representative and fundraiser for Kitezh. “The idea of community is very important.”

With shared responsibility of the children, no one adult is left to deal alone with orphans scarred by violent backgrounds. “Here everybody supports each other, each has a role.” Every day foster parents, teachers and psycho­logists from the communi­ties meet to discuss the progress of individual cases .

This is how community life differs from individual foster families. “Many people would like to foster children,” explained Omar. “But often they find it difficult to cope. They’re not trained to look after traumatized children, who are not always as sweet and obedient as they had anticipated.” At Kitezh, trained foster parents, psy­cho­logists and teachers all take on the responsibilities and support each other. “Three of our foster parents have won government awards for their work,” said Hewitt.

When children graduate from Kitezh, they are supported financially through university. The loving homes and stability given in the community assure a greater chance of them continuing in higher education. In fact, Kitezh’s school obtained an award for its excellence in teaching. “Kitezh has a wood­work shop and has also been donated sewing machines for more vocational professions,” Hewitt explained. “Not all the graduates are necessarily academic, so we provide for them as well.”

When young adults leave regular state institutions, they are often poorly prepa­red for life. With no sense of identity or roots, they are left to start a new life alone. Sixty percent of people that have been in orphanages are jobless and homeless, 40 percent turn to crime, prostitution or drugs. Only four percent actually go on to higher education.

Valya Konukhina, 19, who grew up in Kitezh from the age of 13, is now finish­ing her first year of studies at the State University of Humanities (RGGU). “Kitezh is wonderful,” she said in her excellent English. “I hope to go back there as a teacher.” Valya is outgoing, very intelligent and creative. She is also very musical, with a beautiful singing voice. After she finished high school, Kitezh asked her to spend one year teaching in Kitezh before she went to university. Like Valya, all the children appear very happy and lively, obviously benefiting from the upbringing they receive within the community.

The Kitezh non-commercial partnership of foster families has not only gained recognition locally, with the governor of the Kaluga regional government actively promoting foster care, but internationally. As well as sponsors from international compa­nies in Russia, the Scotland-based Ecologia Youth Trust has helped greatly with financing and fundraising. “Basically, Kitezh and Orion can survive on help from the government,” said Liza Hollingshead from the Ecologia Youth Trust, who has been a very active supporter of Kitezh. “The teachers and parents’ pay are just enough to survive. But they need funding for building and training for foster parents.”

Kitezh has become the first international associate member of the Charterhouse Group of Therapeutic Communities in the United Kingdom. This is quite a feat, considering Kitezh was built from nothing. Set on 100 hectares of fields, Kitezh now contains a dining room, a banya, a farm, houses, vegetable gardens, a school and a church. Since 1992 it has housed over 80 children and 12 families. Dmitry Morozov has been awarded the Order of Honour for his continued and dedicated work, and is currently writing a book about foster care.

Kitezh hopes to spread a network of therapeutic communities throughout Rus­sia. To eventually replace current institutionalized care would be a break­through. These two therapeutic communities are a huge leap forward, demon­strating that their innovative method of rehabilitating orphans is successful. 

Nathalie Cooper

Moscow News 24/05/2007