Clarification about orphanages (internat's) system and number of orphans in Ukraine

Why was www.deti.zp.ua created?

* to improve the lives of the orphans of orphanage P3 and other orphanages.

* to help as many children as possible to find a family.

* to attract interested people to keep in touch with the orphans, to assist the creation of circles ( study groups) in the orphanages, and to arganize hikes and excursions.

* to give accurate information about tutoring, trusteeship, adoption, the creation of adoptive families, and family-oriented orphanages.

* to give visitors access to articles, books, and other information about the life of the orphans in the CIS ( Collaboration of Independent States).

What is the English translation of word "deti" in the address of our website?

Russian word 'deti' translates as 'children' on English. Domain name ".zp.ua" means Zaporozhye region of Ukraine.

What do most children need?

The financial needs in any orphanage are very similar. There are not enough shoes, clothes, sockes, or pants. Usually the sizes are incorrect, too.The furniture in the bedrooms is often very old and broken down. The sheets and blankets are "on their last legs", too . The children need food- vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and cheese. Emotionally, the main problem is a lack of love and family warmth. The children don't go on enough excursions- walks in nature, trips to other cities, or cultural trips. Children often complain about boredom. A lot of children can't go for bike rides because the luxury of a bicycle is unvailable in orphanagas.

Who are the children of the orphanages?

Often these children have been diagnosed with mental development disorders. That doesn't mean that a child is mentally retarded, but that he\she has difficulty in school, has a poor orientation with time, doesn't know the names of the months and weeks, etc. The growth and development of these children is usually lower than in ordinary children. All of this is a consequence of life before the orpanage, but the atmosphere in the orphanage doesn't promote children's development, either. Some children started schcool when they were ten years old or later, and they have difficulty expressing their thoughts and can't read very well. A lot of children are from villages. Some of them have spent their entire lives in orphanages; others just a few mounths. There are some children who were eyewitnesses of murders of family members. There are some children who were thrown out a window by their own mother. Some children have never traveled by train, and have never eaten shashlik ( Ukrainian shish kebabs). They can't go for a bike ride or swim. A lot of them run away from orphanages because they have an inclination towards vagrant life. All of the children really love visitors; they run and hug people they don't even know. The children also like hikes and traveling. They ask many questions about the surrounding world. You can read questionnaires of the children on the page " Our Children'.

What percentage of orphans don't have any parents?

Just about 10%. Other orphans have living parents and were separated from them by the legal system or they left their child and fled.

Why should we help these orphans? They are just a burden on society.

Most of them, after graduating, become drug addicts, criminals, or prostitutes. One day, they may meet one of them and be mugged. Our indifference to this situation brings future problems to all of society. Secondly, many orphans are very gifted. They could grow up to be scientists, writers, composers, or artists in the future. We have a lot of these examples. You may read books of Alexander Gezalov or Ruben Galiego in the section "Books and Articles". Thirdly, if the world can love everyone on the Earth as a whole and understand God's plan, the question "Why should we help?" will have an obvious answer. Fourthly, helping neigbors gives a person extraordinary joy and a feeling that life doesn't pass in vain.

How much of the incoming help is given to the website's creators?

0%. We just know that the children need our help. We earn our living from our own basic jobs.

Do you do any commercial work involving international adoption?

No, we don't. We often receive propositions about help from foreigners, but we have our own work, and international adoption demands that foreigners pay bribes to officials. We have no time and no desire for this possibility. If the procedure of adoptional by foreigners becomes clearer and more honest, we will be interested in that question. As you know, adoption of a child from Ukraine costs, for example, from $10,000 to $35,000. Officially all of these procedures are free of charge, but the servises of mediators, bribes to officials, and other expenses form the aforementioned sum. It's a pity that only a small portion of this money benefits the children who stay in orphanages.

Which guarantees do I have that my help will not be stolen or used not for the appointment?

You may personally come to any of the orphanages or children's houses and help a child and by the way, you are not obliged to tell that you found out about the orphanage from our website. In the time of the passing you can validate a document about the acceptance of charitable help. If you live in another city or country, you may send a package to the address of the orphanage or to address of creator of this website. You may find the contact information on the page "How we can be found". All of your donations will be taken a picture together with the children, probably on the background of the orphanage. Later you or a person who you trust may visit an orphanage at any time and make sure your donation is being used appropriately and about any donation which came through our website. We can render any other arguments that the help is used for the appointment. People who created and who support this website believe in God.

I live in the USA or Canada. How can I send a package to an orphanage?

If you live in the USA you may use the following companies for the delivery to Ukraine:
www.meestusa.com
www.meestboston.com
www.polonezparcelservice.com
If you live in Canada then you can use Meest Canada. The cost is 10$ for a package up to 70 pounds and $0.69 for each addiptional pound. The time of delivery is 4-6 weeks. Please try to state the value of your items and the shipping.

If something is cheaper in Ukraine, may I simply buy it there?

Of course, you can. If you live elsewhere, you may simply order something online and have it sent to any orphanages in Ukraine. That way you won't have to worry about shipping. We recommend bigmir.net and znaika.com.ua

I'd like to donate money for buying clothes (shoes, bedside-tables, computers, ...) for children. How can I do it in the best way?

Please, see how to transfer money to us if you want to donate money for orphans' needs.

I Wa-a-a-a-a-nt to help chilldren!!! How can I do that?

Get to know the children and the administration and you'll see what the children need most of all. It may sounds strange, but it's best to visit an orphanage.

I want to adopt a child. How can I do this?

We are not an adoption agency and can't be a middle perons in adoption process. Anyway, you can see Adoption page on our website.

I can't give children any financial help but can I help them in another way?

Sure. If you live in Zaporozhia and you have some interesting skills ( for examle, joiner's work, modeling, needlework, making toys) - you can guide study group in an orphanage. You may teach children to ride a bicycle. You can assist in the organization of summer tent camps for the children in Crimea. If you have window panes, wall-paper or any else after your repair your house, you may donate all of it to an orphanage. If you have good worn clothes from your children, or books or balls or bicycles- give them to children. You can sponsor Educational program for orphans. You may also tell your friends or the head of your organization about our website and our children. Finally, you may join our organization and always help our children. For complete list of ways to help please see What is needed? page. And write to us!