Bielsko-Ustyensky orphanage
Project «Zaluzie»
Main values
Geography: Pskov Oblast
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
“Zaluzie” completes a pilot social project in the Pskov region aimed at organizing independent living for graduates of the Belsko-Ustyansky orphanage boarding school for children with intellectual disabilities.
The project consists of three stages:
- Selection of participants from among the institution’s residents who are prepared for independent supported living after leaving the orphanage.
- Preparing participants for supported independent living in the “Department for Young People with Disabilities” in the orphanage.
- Creating conditions for independent living in the village of Zaluzie.
In 2014, two plots of land were acquired, which in 2015 became the property of the project participants. The construction of two houses began in 2016 but was halted due to a lack of funds. In 2018, the construction of a house for girls resumed and was successfully completed.
The residents of the new house successfully mastered the skills of housekeeping and were employed.
There remains a need to complete the construction of the boys' house and provide young people with the opportunity for independent living. Before the start of the project, with the support of CSS, electricity had already been installed, and a gas holder had been mounted in the boys' area.
Relevance
Currently, the issue of independent living and employment for individuals with mental disabilities is a pressing concern. In most cases, it is believed that they are unable to integrate into society, which leads to the unfortunate fate of many graduates of orphanages: they are either “left to fend for themselves” or spend their lives in psycho-neurological institutions. However, practice shows that many of them are capable of work and creativity, which is an important condition for their intellectual, psycho-emotional, and personal development.
The environment plays a key role in the development of abilities — this is a widely recognized fact in medicine and pedagogy. Creating an environment for people with mental disabilities that provides opportunities to live, work, communicate, and be happy is a challenging but solvable task.
The “Zaluzie” Project will provide the opportunity to:
- Enable graduates of the orphanage boarding school for children with mental disabilities to exercise their right to choose their place and living conditions, as well as their right to work and rest.
- Develop a system of independent supported living, daytime engagement, and employment.
- Change societal stereotypes regarding the life prospects of people with mental disabilities.
- Become the foundation for further research in the fields of pedagogy and medicine.
- Create a methodological framework for sharing the experience with other regions.
Social effect
Creating a sustainable model for supporting and developing mentally challenged graduates of orphanages and boarding schools. Ensuring that people with mental disabilities have the opportunity to realize their rights and potential in society.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
The boys' home was completed on time. In December 2019, six wards of the Belsko-Ustyansky orphanage moved to the village of Zaluzie and began living independently.
As of 2023, the “Zaluzie” Project consists of two houses and eleven residents. The graduates of the boarding school manage their own household. They have greenhouses where cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants grow, as well as fields with strawberries and potatoes, apple trees, currants, and raspberries. Thanks to their gardens, “Zaluzie” beneficiaries provide themselves with vegetables and fruit for the whole year.
Eight people are officially employed. Two are not employed but are actively involved in maintaining order at home and in the garden. One graduate, unfortunately, is experiencing health issues and cannot work.
Two graduates received apartments from the state, while the others entitled to social housing are on the waiting list, with all their rights being upheld.
Project progress after CSS funding
Funds are being raised for the construction of a third home for graduates of the Belsko-Ustyansky orphanage boarding school having mental and physical challenges.
