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United Orphaned Children's Fund of Pennsylvania
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About Ukrainian orphanages:
Three different government departments run the orphanages; The Ministry of Education and
Science, The Ministry of Health and The Ministry of Labor.
Even today, many orphanages experience serious problems and shortages. Many Directors
struggle to find funds for heating in the winter and food all year long. Unfortunately, corruption by some officials of some of the necessary funds does take place.
Other problems include medical needs, proper education and poor sanitary conditions. Daily
needs (things like clothes and shoes) are met only 60-70% of the time. There is always a shortage of finances to run them properly, and there is almost always overcrowding. There is a constant flow of new orphans everyday.
The orphanages and boarding schools in Ukraine have become important "safety nets" for
the past decade. Many orphans are not "true" orphans, as they still have a parent or both parents still alive. But these parents cannot afford to raise them, or they have been determined to be unfit, or have become alcoholics or drug abusers, or reside in a prison or even live in the streets. But is it the children's fault? |