About street children in Kherson, Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the former Eastern block
countries that became independent after the collapse of
the Soviet Union. The country has suffered from a poor economy
with severe unemployment and a low standard of living. Common
social problems include alcoholism, drug addiction, and
prostitution.
Kherson is city with a population of about
350,000 situated in the lowlands near the Black Sea in southern
Ukraine. It is capital city of the oblast (district) of
the same name. Kherson is about three hours driving time
east of the major seaport city of Odessa, which is also
the nearest major airport. In the past the area was well-known
for its ship building industry, but it is now economically
depressed.
According to the official data, 5000 children live in the streets of Kherson, but in reality this number is thought to be much greater. Those children live in unsanitary and deplorable conditions in basements, underground passageways, sewage manholes, attics, on store rooftops. It is not unheard of for newborn babies are thrown out into garbage cans, and abandoned right on the streets.
The street children range in age from 3
to 19. They are dirty, poorly dressed, hungry and subject
to a range of health problems. Their only goal in life is
to survive by any means possible. They engage in a variety
of destructive behaviors, including drinking alcohol, smoking,
gambling, using inhalants (such as glue), stealing, begging,
and engaging in prostitution.
Government provided social services are
inadequate to care for these children. For example, the
food budget of one state-run children’s home has been
as low as ten kopeks (10 cents) per day per child.
To read the story of the Kherson street children's ministry by Galina Kuleshova click here. |
