Projects

Living Hope has many projects in place to rehabilitate neglected children. These initiatives are changing lives. Instead of a life of begging, stealing and prostitution, children are fed, clothed and educated - even given the chance to attend a summer camp. They no longer have to fend for themselves.

Mobile soup kitchen

Soup, bread and tea is loaded into a van and distributed five days a week from a location in the city. This is a vital connection point. It provides the first contact with new children and meets their most urgent needs.

But more than this, it establishes trust and opens the lines of communication. Living Hope can then invite the children to attend the day centre, help with medical or dental needs and offer clothing. Children can also be encouraged to attend school, give up drugs, find work or return to their home if the situation allows.

Day centre

The Living Hope day centre has become a haven for many children. Thanks to a donation from an American family, Living Hope acquired a small apartment which became the first home of the centre. Now in new premises, around 30 children attend three times a week for basic lessons in writing, math, language and computer skills, crafts and sports. They also receive a hot shower, new clothes and lunch at each visit.

A trained psychologist works alongside the kids and their families to help rebuild family relationships. Parents are also helped to change and better recognise their roles and the needs of children.

The role played by Living Hope is similar to the one a parent would occupy - that of providing support and love. Periodically the children will be given a chance to participate in activities they don't usually experience, like going to the cinema, circus and ice-skating.

Holiday camps

Living Hope's desire is for more than day-to-day survival for these children. It's for a life like any other Russian child. Every year, Living Hope runs two camps in May and September where children have regular meal and bed times and sleep in a safe environment.

Most children struggle at first to the sudden change routine and required discipline. Yet, they soon adapt and flourish in an environment where they can play sport, and enjoy activities like learning how to ride a bike, canoeing and sailing. A small amount of physical work is encouraged so they learn the discipline and purpose of a job. The children are also taught more about God and what it means to have a relationship with him.

Much is achieved through these camps. Many children make decisions to return home, go back to school or give up drugs. And, Living hope is committed to helping children follow through on these decisions once they return from camp.

Rehabilitation Centre

This is something we plan to create in the future. The Rehabilitation Centre will be an environment where street kids can discover the safety and joy inherent in childhood. A place where they can grow emotionally, mentally and physically as well as spiritually. Here, they will be given the opportunity to finish their schooling and begin their adult lives with both confidence and an education, so they can make a positive contribution to the world.

Wish List

Living Hope is providing basic care and a friendly, safe environment for the homeless kids of Vladivostok. But there is a lot more that we would like to offer in order to make a measurable and sustainable difference to their lives. At the moment, all our efforts are focused on one major initiative to help these children begin their adult lives with both confidence and an education:

24-hour Youth Centre

A 24-hour Youth Centre to provide children with an alternative to hanging out on the streets. The centre will also incorporate a night shelter where kids can spend the night in a warm, dry and safe environment. At the Youth Centre, children could receive immediate medical and physical care, as well as discover a place where they can rediscover the joy inherent in childhood. The Living Hope Youth Centre will be a place where the children can grow emotionally, mentally and physically as well as spiritually. Here, they will be given the opportunity to finish their schooling as well as take part in optional music, woodwork, computer and sport classes. The centre would also provide counselling on sexual health and drug issues.

To realise this, we need raise sufficient funds to purchase a property in Vladivostok and equip it properly with everything from beds, bedding and towels to a kitchen, classroom furniture and computers.