Striving for Better Amidst a Broken System
These children are often abandoned or surrendered by families struggling under the weight of financial burdens, alcoholism, abuse, crime, disabilities, and/or illness.
These children deserve more than the mere survival offered within the confines of these orphanages. Trapped in a broken system, devoid of parental love and care, they face developmental hurdles, attachment disorders, and deep-seated psychological scars.
Yet, perhaps the most harrowing chapter arrives as these children are declared "aged-out" at 16, released into the world unprepared and unsupported. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 10-15% of these young adults die by suicide before reaching eighteen, while 60-70% of Ukrainian orphans are drawn into the darkness of prostitution and organized crime. A mere fraction pursues higher education, condemning countless innocent dreams to wither away.
The numbers are sobering;
the reality is harsh.
Disturbingly, one orphan with disabilities faces death every 3 months due to a lack of medical intervention. Some reports indicate this is as frequent as every 3 days. Still, countless children are surrendered to state orphanages because of a lack of resources and support to raise a child with disabilities at home. Unfortunately, the care at these institutions rarely provides beyond the basic necessities.
Empowering
Change with
Blossom Cottage
Shade for Children has historically served the children in our region through partnerships with local orphanages, providing consistent and intentional visits with the children – along with hosting summer camps, supporting local at-risk families alongside Social Services, and engaging churches and communities in the conversation of adoption and foster care.
Despite the ongoing invasion of Russia in parts of Ukraine, Shade for Children knows that the need for reform in the care of children within the Ukrainian orphan care system is urgent.
With our experience in the system, we move forward with plans to build and operate a Private Small Group Home in Western Ukraine called Blossom Cottage!
We plan to provide a loving and nurturing environment for 8-10 children who have been orphaned or deprived of parental care.
Our plan to build Blossom Cottage is a significant step in changing the destiny of orphaned children and future generations. Encouragingly, Ukraine is gradually dismantling the Soviet-era orphanage system and embracing more effective social services for families, including plans to eventually close most of the existing 740+ orphanages.
It is a good plan. It is an improvement from the current solution. But we also want to communicate that none of us wanted or envisioned creating a home like this. We have and will continue to advocate for children being placed in families above all other solutions, but the reality is that Ukraine simply isn’t ready to move to 100% family-based care. With thousands of children living in large institutions all around Ukraine, or abroad if evacuated from occupied or dangerous areas, the system is not in a position to place these children exclusively in foster families or have them all placed in a family through reunification or adoption. We need a stepping stone. We need Small Group Homes to serve as that step from large institutions to a family.
By creating a loving and family-like environment, our primary ministry goal is family reunification. We strive to facilitate the return of children to their families whenever possible. For those without this option, we seek to offer a more "normal" childhood experience, fostering engagement within their community.
Within Blossom Cottage, children will retain their eligibility for both domestic and international adoption, allowing us to advocate for their placement in a forever family. The support and endorsements from local authorities, regional social services, and esteemed organizations like SOS Children's Villages reinforce our commitment to making a lasting impact on Ukraine's orphan crisis.