[RussianJen]

Hello, all!
Well, it turns out I've got just about a month free, to catch up on e-mails and do all of those things I never get to do, before I head off to work in Alaska. Most of you know/remember me - just for the FYI - I'm an American who has spent the past 4 years working and living in a small Russian village, in an orphanage/boarding school. I've lived the life, and seen just about everything - the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly. I've visited different orphanages, worked at a camp for orphans, and lived in a Russian home for 2 years (2 years in the orphanage, 2 years in a Russian home; I'd say I got a pretty awesome cultural experience!).
So here I am, in a place with free wireless, for a month. I just thought that, since I've been able to experience that which most of you haven't, if you've got questions or concerns, regarding Russia, orphanages, travel, culture, etc. - feel free to ask them, and I'll do my best to answer!

Looking forward to helping while I can!

-RussianJen <><

[kretzklan]

Jen - Would you be willing to translate a letter and mail it for us? We've been told that the ones we are sending are not reaching the intended receiver. I just don't know what the problem is.
Let me know - by PM or whatever!

[Waiting_for_my_baby]

Hi! That's awesome and so kind of you to offer yourself to us like that! I, as a waiter, have a million questions. So I would love to read what others have to ask as well. What parts of Russia have you stayed in? We found out our dossier is in Vologda. So just wondering if you have any knowledge of that region? Thanks so much!

[RussianJen]

Hi! Actually, that's really close to where I live in Russia - the city of Vologda is about 6 hours from the nearest train station to us! I've stayed in Vologda 3 times, now. It's a beautiful city. The roads in the Vologda region are a lot better than the ones in our region! ) I have friends (who feel more like family) living in Vologda. Any specific questions come to mind?

RussianJen <><

[Pinkie]

Jen, welcome back to the Forum. I'm moving house and country at the moment so only pop onto the forum when I can. I'll probably miss you this time round but just wanted to say Thank You for thinking of us, your an absolute gem.

[manon]

Jen, I'm wondering if you could share any thoughts you might have about how I could best help my daughter's older 1/2 sister Nastya. My daughter is 6 1/2 yrs old & has been with me now since she was 2. After adopting her, I learned that she has an older 1/2 sister and an older 1/2 brother who were both in orphanages at the time. The sister, Nastya, is 16 now and is studying computers at a vocational school in Saratov, RU. The brother is 18 now & has aged out of the orphanage and is working some of the time, sometimes not working. Their birth mother died several years ago, and their birth father is not involved in their lives.

I'm in contact with Nastya. She has a cell phone. I have tried to figure out the best way to help her to make her way in the world. I can't afford to attempt to adopt her. I've shared photos of my daughter with her, and my daughter and I have both written to her. I think Nastya is glad to know her little sister is safe and loved.

Can you think of anything concrete I could do that might actually help her?

How long do vocational schools typically last? What is their school year? Is it generally August or September to May or June like it is here?

Do vocational schools ever help the students find jobs after they finish school? Is it at all likely that she'll be able to get a job after she finishes school?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

[Waiting_for_my_baby]

Originally Posted by RussianJen

Hi! Actually, that's really close to where I live in Russia - the city of Vologda is about 6 hours from the nearest train station to us! I've stayed in Vologda 3 times, now. It's a beautiful city. The roads in the Vologda region are a lot better than the ones in our region! ) I have friends (who feel more like family) living in Vologda. Any specific questions come to mind?

RussianJen <><

Hi! That's so cool that you've actually stayed there! I guess it is a small world I would love to hear just anything about the region. Do you know anything about the orphanages there & how things are moving regarding U.S. adoptions? I'm just so interested in learning everything about the region as possible. I do my research online, but know it's nothing like being there!

[RussianJen]

Re: Vologda, unfortunately, we were there for really short amounts of time (2 days, 3 times). We walked all over the city and saw everything, and I know for sure there are several different orphanages. I'm not exactly sure how things are moving re: int'l adoptions, but I know that there are a lot happening! There is a juvenile detention center in Vologda, as well...but I know that because 2 of our boys (from our orphanage) got bored one day and decided to run off and have an adventure. They climbed into a coal car on a train and rode it to Vologda...when they got out they didn't know where they were, just decided to go find some food somewhere. The militia picked them up wandering around...our buddies never did realize why it was they got caught...I guess it never occurred to them that people don't usually walk down the street in a busy city covered with coal dust.....

[Waiting_for_my_baby]

Wow, what an adventure they went on!

[cmmandjam]

i don't post much, but am always in awe of you. what an amazing person you are.

we were given the address of our sons orphanage in Lomonosov and want to send them stuff, but we are afraid it won't get there. do orphanages actually GET packages from the states? is there anyway we can ensure that the address is correct?

[RussianJen]

Originally Posted by cmmandjam

i don't post much, but am always in awe of you. what an amazing person you are.

we were given the address of our sons orphanage in Lomonosov and want to send them stuff, but we are afraid it won't get there. do orphanages actually GET packages from the states? is there anyway we can ensure that the address is correct?

The thing about packages from the states is that they create a lot of press...especially if the city/town isn't huge. People in Russia are two very interesting things - a) very curious by nature, and b) trained to be suspicious of Americans. So, while I'm fairly sure the package *will* get to the orphanage, there's no telling how many times it will have been opened by the authorities before arriving. That being said, I would have to ask - are you aware of the integrity of those running the orphanage - director, doctors, caretakers? I've seen those who give the kids everything down to the box, because it's for them - and I've also seen those who, receiving things, never pass them farther than their own office. I would be skiddish, honestly, of sending stuff - a lot of times it makes its way to the staff's homes, for their own kids, or purposes, or whatever. I know that sounds terrible, but to be absolutely honest, your help would go a LOT further if you could find a contact person IN Lomonosov (translator, coordinator, or someone you met), to whom you could send money (electronically, bank transfer, lots of safe options there), and who would be able to specifically buy things the kids need/want, and personally deliver them.
I know this is probably unlikely, but that's really the only option I could honestly say I'm comfortable with - having lived in 'the system' for so long.

Is there a possibility you could make this happen? I sure hope so!

Hope this was helpful!
-RussianJen

[RussianJen]

Originally Posted by manon

Jen, I'm wondering if you could share any thoughts you might have about how I could best help my daughter's older 1/2 sister Nastya. My daughter is 6 1/2 yrs old & has been with me now since she was 2. After adopting her, I learned that she has an older 1/2 sister and an older 1/2 brother who were both in orphanages at the time. The sister, Nastya, is 16 now and is studying computers at a vocational school in Saratov, RU. The brother is 18 now & has aged out of the orphanage and is working some of the time, sometimes not working. Their birth mother died several years ago, and their birth father is not involved in their lives.

I'm in contact with Nastya. She has a cell phone. I have tried to figure out the best way to help her to make her way in the world. I can't afford to attempt to adopt her. I've shared photos of my daughter with her, and my daughter and I have both written to her. I think Nastya is glad to know her little sister is safe and loved.

Can you think of anything concrete I could do that might actually help her?

How long do vocational schools typically last? What is their school year? Is it generally August or September to May or June like it is here?

Do vocational schools ever help the students find jobs after they finish school? Is it at all likely that she'll be able to get a job after she finishes school?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

This is a tough one - how best to help Nastya? If she's in a tech (vocational) school, that's a good thing. Studying computers? That means she got into a decent one. That's good. In answer to your specific questions, Vocational Schools are generally 2 years in length - they are an option for kids who only completed the mandatory 9 grades of school (in Russia there are 11 total, the 10th and 11th grade being for those who wish to go on to Universities), and therefore are more of an attempt to 'catch up'. Not only orphans go to these schools - but mostly.
The school year is really almost year-long, if you count exams. Usually they end classes in early June, but exams are typically mid-June to mid-July. Every school in Russia begins on September 1st, every year - unless September 1st is on a Sunday; in that case they begin the day before. Most schools in Russia are 6 days a week.

Vocational schools usually present job options to their graduating students, although the quality of these jobs is never sure to be great. A lot of times students will do a 'practicum' or 'intern' type program, then continue on working for that company, if they so choose upon graduation.

While attending vocational schools, orphans live in dormitories and recieve a stipend - which is money to pay for their living expenses, based upon their academic performance. As an orphan/orphanage graduate they also receive a pension. The hard part is when they do graduate, and are required to move out of the dorms - where they've lived pretty much in the same type of environment as the orphanage. When required to live on their own, truly, for the first time, psychologically many orphanage grads have a really tough time. Being that her mother is deceased, most likely Nastya will find a boyfriend to live with, or friends from the orphanage.

I'll keep thinking of concrete things you could do to help Nastya - when I do, I'll make a list and post them.

I hope this helped at least a little!

-RussianJen <><

[manon]

Thanks for the info, Jen! It helps me have a clearer idea of what the next few years hold in store for her. If there are other things that come to mind, please do post again, or email me. Thanks again!

manon