Arkhangelsk Orphanage No. 1

The Children: This orphanage is home to children age 4-17.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has introduced the Roman Project at this orphanage, and has funded the "Family Life" program. We have also provided funding for swimming, other sports programs, and purchased furniture and other equipment for the orphanage. The orphanage now has many younger children. FORO has helped this orphanage purchase a van to enable the children to be transported for medical and other appointments.

Arkhangelsk Orphanage No. 4

Located in the city of Arkhangelsk, this orphanage was established as an experimental orphanage designed to provide special instruction and assistance to children with learning and medical disabilities. The institution is both a home and school for the children.

The Children: Orphanage is home to children ages 3-7. The orphanage has a dedicated staff but resources are always limited. Frequently, the orphanage is cold and dark so that the orphanage can save money on heat and electricity.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has provided various material aid including
clothes, appliances and medical treatment. In 2007, FORO is constructing a playground for the orphanage.

Arkhangelsk Regional Baby Home

The Arkangelsk Regional Baby Home is one of two baby homes in the regional capital city. This orphanage is in great need of repair. At times, the orphanage is over capacity because there is nowhere else for children to go.

The Children: The orphanage is home to approximately 100-120 children ages 0-4. 20-25% of the children have some form of disability. Children are divided into groups of 8-10. Groups sleep, eat and play together.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has provided funding for extensive room repairs including the infant receiving room, the children’s living quarters, laundry and entrance. FORO has also provided various other material and including medical equipment and major appliances.

Dzherzinsk Orphanage No. 1

This Orphanage is located in the City of Dzherzinsk, in the Nizhniy Novgorod region.

The Children: It is home to approximately 85 children up to age four. Over 50% of the children have special needs including some children with profound disabilities. The staff is dedicated and caring, but they struggle with very limited resources and a very old, dilapidated facility.

FORO's Activities: FORO has provided funding to undertake greatly needed room repairs including replacement of collapsing ceilings and modernization of bathroom and laundry facilities. Also rewiring is underway with FORO funds, to decrease the risk of fire and danger to the children. FORO has also purchased a new van for the orphanage. This facility has a special place in the hearts of FORO officers Lisa and Phillip Wurster because it was the home their son, Andrew Dmitry.

Kotlas Baby Home

The Kotlas Baby Home is FORO's flagship orphanage. It is the only baby home in the southern part of the Arkhangelsk region. This orphanage holds a special place in the hearts of FORO board members Lisa and Phillip Wurster, Andrew Wiegand, and Teresa Grigsby each of whom has adopted children from this orphanage.

The Children: There are approximately 120 children ranging in age from small infants to age 5.

FORO’s Activities: We have undertaken various projects here including extensive room repairs, supply of a wide variety of equipment and supplies, the construction of a new gym, and the construction of a new playground.

Sol Vichegodsk

This large orphanage is located in the very remote, ancient village of Sol Vichegodsk in the southern part of the Arkhangeksk region. The building was opened in 2002 after 17 years of construction. Historically, an orphanage developed in this area due to the existence of concentration camps in the area.

The Children: The orphanage is home to approximately 120 children ages 3- 17. No child has ever been adopted from this orphanage. Children help grow their own food and maintain the building. Children are divided into groups of 8-10 that sleep, eat and play together.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has provided athletic equipment and musical instruments, that are offered as a reward to children who behave well and avoid unhealthy activities. FORO has also supplied a large variety of material aid and implemented its Roman Project here. Another emphasis has been on the funding of vocation training with the supply of sewing machines, woodworking equipment, and farm tools.

Tula Baby Home

The Tula Baby Home is located in the city of Tula about two hours south of Moscow.

The Children: There are approximately 100 children ranging in age from newborn to age 5.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has been assisting this orphanage with medical equipment, appliances, tools, infant needs, and indoor and outdoor playground equipment. In addition, FORO has provided extensive equipment and supplies for an entire new kitchen. This major project was vital due to the literal collapse of the orphanage’s century old kitchen building.

Velsk Orphanage No. 2

This orphanage is located in the southern part of the Arkhangelsk region in a village about 20 miles from the city of Velsk. The orphanage has a strong family atmosphere and is blessed with a caring staff.

The Children: There are about 50 children ranging in age of approximately 5 through 17.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has provided a new van, various material needs, and has initiated a special project called “Swords to Plow Shares.” The aim of this project is to convert a cold war bomb shelter in the basement of the orphanage into a woodworking shop so the children can learn a useful trade.

Vichegodsk Home for Deaf Children

Located in the southern part of the Arkhangelsk region, this institution is blessed with a very committed, loving staff. It is both a home and school for the children.

The Children: The facility is home to 117 children ages 8-17. All of the children have some disability, and many are deaf. The children are intelligent, talented and well-behaved. Vocational training is provided for older children.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has remodeled the children’s bedrooms, and provided new furniture, funding for athletic programs, various material needs and the funding necessary to establish a kindergarten.

Severdinsk

This orphanage is located in the military city of Severdinsk on the White Sea.

The Children: The orphanage is home to over 150 children. Older orphans from throughout the region that are considered to be gifted academically are sent to this orphanage. The orphanage has highly developed academic and vocational training programs.

FORO’s Activities: FORO has implemented its “Starting Strong” program at this location.

Arkhangelsk Regional Home for Deviant Boys

This institution is housed in a former army missle base in a very remote location near the town of Nyandama.

The Children: The boys at this facility range in age from 7-17. Each has been convicted of a felony. Approximately 75% of the boys are orphans, many of whon committed crimes in order to survive.

FORO's Activities: FORO has provided funding to create a shoe repair workshop. Shoe repair is a very useful trade in this part of Russia and will hopefully enable some of the boys to avoid a life of crime. Also, this summer FORO has funded a summer work camp for the boys.

Hope Orphanage

This orphanage is located in the Nizhniy Novgorod region.

The Children: There are approximately 35 children at this orphanage, ages 4-17, all of whom share a common bedroom.

FORO’s Activities: FORO’s work began in late 2006 with the purchase of a desperately needed stove.