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Refuge for Russian Street Children
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In many big cities around the world, thousands of children live on the streets. But, as Reed Galin reports, some caring citizens in one major metropolis have stepped in to change things. Kids who once distrusted others are amazed. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: St. Petersburg, Russia)Amid the grand imperial buildings of St. Petersburg, Russia is a population of street children struggling to survive.
The Rev. Rauza Landorf: “The parents have alcohol or drug addiction and they are not interested in the lives of their own children.”
Russians consume nearly twice the global average of alcohol … and the effects are far-reaching. When United Methodist pastor Rauza Landorf observed local children choosing to live on the street rather than go home, she launched an after-school program to feed their bodies…and their spirits.
The Rev. Rauza Landorf: “These children need more than anything God’s love. They need assurance that they are loved; in spite of all their troubles, they have a future.”
At first, local authorities were skeptical that a church-based program would work; but once they saw success, police started bringing kids here. Landorf says these can be the hardest cases.
The Rev. Rauza Landorf: “They are afraid of love; they are afraid of hugs; they close their eyes and run away to hide under the table. But, our own children help us; they say ‘Do not worry, they just love you.’”
They stay here until it is time to go home and sleep. But, even after seven years in operation, some still don’t understand why anyone is reaching out to them.
The Rev. Rauza Landorf: “One boy even said, ‘You are probably feeding us to get our organs for transplants. It is impossible that you simply love us.’”
Children are now graduating from the program and going on to college. It’s a simple formula for success.
The Rev. Rauza Landorf: “We do not hurry them, we do not push them, we just love them.”
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The center regularly arranges for the older children to visit orphanages and homes for the elderly; they bring along crafts and food that they’ve prepared themselves. There are hopes for a larger building so that even more children can be served.
For more information, call 1-800-862-4246 or visit the Russian Mission Initiative. You can also learn more about the St. Petersburg program on the Grace United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, Russia Web site.
Also, see: Pastor once was lost, now is found – in Russia
Posted: August 12, 2009