Lomonosov Baby Home to Stay Open!

On Friday, April 10th, Vica and I went to the Lomonosov Baby Home. Currently there are no children at the Baby Home. They have a staff of 10 of the 100 people they had before. Most of these 10 are financial personal. The Baby Home is currently under renovation to comply with the fire code issues identified by the local fire department. There are a lot of worker doing construction, replacing ceilings, linoleum floors, and many other things. All things are due to be mostly complete by June 1.

Due to the media reports, TV interviews, and the outcry pleas of support, local businesses have volunteered materials, workers, and money to make the needed repairs for the home. Private and Commercial support was given and they are fully funded to make these renovations. The staff has been notified that they will return. This 90 day period to comply with the fire inspector will be their “vacation”. Antonia reported that in the meantime, these same staff members have “volunteered their time to help with the Baby Home remodeling. Some of their workers and their husbands helped pull down the old ceiling so a new one could be installed. Five volunteers also spend the night each night so looters do not take things from the building. The Baby Home plans to open with a celebration on June 1st.

Antonia said that none of the children that have been moved will return back to this orphanage. She said that until June 1, children are being held in local Children’s hospitals and cared for there until the Baby Home is complete. So, the hospitals and some orphanages are full and are awaiting the opening of the Baby Home.

Later this fall, the Lomonosov Baby Home will celebrate their 60 years as a Baby Home officially on October 29. The celebration will occur on Friday, October 30, 2009.