We arrived at the Narva Orphanage within about 10 minutes from being picked up at the bus station. Daniel, our driver and escort who knew the director of this orphanage, introduced us to the director and we talked about the orphanage and the challenges they have.
These orphanages are a little different that the ones in Russia. The first thing I noticed is that all the orphanages are arranged in a family setting. So, one wing or portion of a floor is set up more like an apartment with a room as a family dining room and kitchen, a living room, and each child has a room of their own. Depending on the orphanage and their capacity, they may share a room, but I didn’t see that happen too often. About 50% of the 31 kids in this orphanage are teens. About 80% of them have parents, but have been turned over to the orphanage due to alcoholism or drug addicted parents.
Narva, Estonia is about 80% Russian and the rest Estonian. 96% of the city speaks Russian, but more of the city government is employed by Estonians. The officials want them to speak Estonian as there is political tension between Russia and Estonia. The orphans in the facility are all Russian and there is additional stigma attached to these kids as they are living in Estonia where the preference is given to Estonian speakers. They are trying to integrate by trying to get funding for Estonian language teachers, but the motivation for speaking Estonian among Russians is low.
These orphanages are a little different that the ones in Russia. The first thing I noticed is that all the orphanages are arranged in a family setting. So, one wing or portion of a floor is set up more like an apartment with a room as a family dining room and kitchen, a living room, and each child has a room of their own. Depending on the orphanage and their capacity, they may share a room, but I didn’t see that happen too often. About 50% of the 31 kids in this orphanage are teens. About 80% of them have parents, but have been turned over to the orphanage due to alcoholism or drug addicted parents.
Narva, Estonia is about 80% Russian and the rest Estonian. 96% of the city speaks Russian, but more of the city government is employed by Estonians. The officials want them to speak Estonian as there is political tension between Russia and Estonia. The orphans in the facility are all Russian and there is additional stigma attached to these kids as they are living in Estonia where the preference is given to Estonian speakers. They are trying to integrate by trying to get funding for Estonian language teachers, but the motivation for speaking Estonian among Russians is low.
The current economic crisis and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s have made living in Narva difficult. Main industries have dried up and funding for orphanages is minimal. The orphanage only gets about $110-$120 per child per year for their needs beyond food and shelter. Nevertheless, they are all friendly, and open to us coming and sharing the Gospel freely.
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