The number of children living in orphanages continues to grow. As is the case with street children, most children living in the care of the state are “social orphans” meaning they have one or more living parents. Parents give up their children for many different reasons, including poverty, incarceration, and problems with alcoholism.

The vast majority of children living in orphanages have some sort of special need or disability. There is little or no support for parents choosing to keep their disabled child at home leaving the parents little choice but to leave their child at an institution.

ChildAid works with orphans from some of the poorest orphanages in the regions. Children leave state orphanages in ill physical and mental health, sexually abused, neglected, uneducated and unloved. We work towards improving the lives of those still living in orphanages as well as giving practical hope to those leaving orphanages who would otherwise live on the streets and fall victim to pimps, drug dealers, criminals, and traffickers.

New Beginnings, Mukachevo, Ukraine

Children leaving state orphanages in Mukachevo and Uzghorod are given an alternative to life on the streets, in prison, or in prostitution.