Why I Decided To Help My Old Orphanage

I wanted to talk about a few reason as to why I wanted to help out my old orphanage by sending gifts and supplies. I left my orphanage in Russia in August 1994.

I was only two years old. I don’t remember anything of course but it is where everything started for me. There was about 20 or so of us in the same group, my group. A few of them I have contact with now to this day.

The orphanage is situated just on the outskirts of the city. It’s not considered a big city but it does have a population of over 350,000 people. Another thing about Arkhangelsk (Ark Angels) is where it is. It’s incredibly far from everywhere else. It’s not a quick trip to get there. Take a look at the map below to see where exactly it is. Average winter temperature is -22 °C. It is a cold place.

After I told people that I wanted to help out my orphanage in Russia of course there were a few comments and messages here that were not so supportive. Just a few people understood incorrectly with what I am wanting to do. Here in New Zealand I had collected an entire box of gifts and supplies, no problems. It is toys with a bit of a New Zealand theme to take there. I wanted to help out in a small way. The children there are aged (4 months to 4 years old). There are only about 8 children in my group. That is where these are going.

In the 1990s my Mum here in New Zealand started a group called ‘Helping Hand’ which sent boxes and boxes of toys and supplies to all the orphanages across Russia. It was incredible. I remember just seeing boxes everywhere of things. This is different.

I have always wanted to do it.

I am almost there with planning out what to do next. I have gathered what I need to take. Janna who is also from the same orphanage helped out with collecting too. It’s a nice thing to do and I am sure they will appreciate us helping out.

Thank you again to those people who have helped make this possible. I appreciate it!

Originally Posted October 2018