History

Early Work with Disabled Children in Crimea
PROP Programs from 2001 to 2006
Success Stories of PROP's Most Disabled Children

PROP Programs from 2001 to 2006

Medical Assistance
Each year PROP was able to send forty-five disabled orphans from Russia to Evpatoria for a full month. The group consisted of Russian, Chechen, Georgian, Tatar, Ukrainian, Moldovan and Gypsy children. During that time they received prophylactic and medical care, (which included numerous procedures), surgery, leg braces. They exercised, swam, rested, and enjoyed a wide variety of cultural programs and excursions. Medical assistance was also provided throughout the year in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Education
To broaden their horizons, PROP introduced the children to computers. The course was such a success that the instructor was persuaded to work eight hours a day, seven days a week, because the children would simply not let the poor fellow leave. For some, this was truly a life altering experience and today a number of program participants, many shut-ins, are making a living using the skills acquired when they were fifteen. Some have been enrolled in Moscow's excellent computer programs offered by ROOF, the Russian Orphans Opportunity Fund.

Special Training
PROP approached each child individually, trying to identify his/her talents. As a result, orphans were enrolled in special schools to be trained as, artists, filmmakers, computer specialists, mechanics, bookkeepers, cooks, and seamstresses. PROP encouraged them to reach out further and not settle for professional begging in the street. Proctors were hired to help the children prepare for whatever entrance exams they needed to pass.

Life Skills and Socialization
Because these children grew up in orphanages, they had no experience in dealing with everyday life. PROP created seminars on survival, trying to prepare them for what awaited them outside the orphanage and what their rights and responsibilities were, from to boiling a cup of tea, shopping, cooking, cleaning, grooming, to where to look for help in an emergency, possible dangers and pitfalls. With the help of the Podval Center the children participated in the Discovery program, aimed at teaching them to work in groups and rely on others and take a more proactive role in society.

HIV/ AIDS/ Drugs
AIDS is spreading rapidly in Russia, but too few people, much less teens, are aware of the disease and how to protect themselves. PROP invited guest speakers to address this issue as well as drug abuse, also on the rise especially with street children. Many of the orphans have alcoholic parents and begin to drink at an early age. Programs conducted by young people from Podval Center, just slightly older than the listeners, seemed to bring the message across more effectively. These programs were later replicated in several orphanages.

Psychological Help
Many of the children exhibited signs of depression. It was clear they had been raped and abused. A group of Russian and foreign psychologists offered their assistance as volunteers, making a significant difference in children who rarely had anyone to listen to their needs.

Family Planning
Too often, children are bearing children. Orphans get pregnant as a result of rape or lack of sex education. Their babies are then placed in a Baby House. Considering the pregnancy rate among these orphans and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, PROP conducted periodic programs for older teens, inviting a medical professional to answer any questions that might arise.

Extended Family
It the course of the past six years PROP orphans were introduced to many other Russian and American children and adults. The orphans began to relax and accept the Pendills as a sort of surrogate family, whom they trusted and with whom they could share both their troubles and joys. This new “extended family” was very important to the children. They suddenly realized that there were people who cared and would protect them. Sadly, many of them were harshly treated at the orphanage, lied to and often stolen from by the orphanage staff.