Parenting skills for ex-orphans

Summary

Children in Russian orphanages have no positive models for family life. First they were abandoned by their parents, or perhaps taken away by the state because their parents were judged incapable. Once in the orphanage they are cut off from the rest of society, with no one-to-one care or attention.

It is not surprising that when they leave the ophanage they have great difficulty in building a stable family themselves. The danger is that they will in turn abandon their child, or have them taken away, when they find they can't cope.

The Sunflower parenting club in St Petersburg steps in to support orphanage leavers and their young children before this can happen. Their work improves the children's health and educational chances, and gives their parents the chance to really enjoy family life for the first time ever.

Activities

The Sunflower club relies on its committed staff of specialist psychologists, teachers and social workers, all experienced in the specific problems experienced by orphanage-leavers.

Together they offer a mix of group and individual activities including counselling, play and art sessions designed to improve the parent child bond and give the children the basic communication skills they will need when they start school. In addition help is offered with practical issues such as appropriate discipline, home routine, basic first aid.  Home visits are also offered to those who are new to the group and may not be confident enough to attend the club sessions straight away.

Each year the group also exhibits its art work alongside professional artists as part of a graphic design festival. This is a great boost to everyone's self-esteem, and helps build valuable links between the families and mainstream society.

Who benefits?

40 families take part regularly in the parenting club benefitting 42 children.

How you can help

• £10 buys paints for one month's parent and child art sessions
• £159 will pay for the psychologist or teacher to work with the club for one month
• £19,241 will keep the club going for one nine-month session

Donate now