Pskov Region

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Souderton Mennonite Church"><B><IMG SRC="467432e0.png" border=0 width="67" height="46" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> <div> <B>(home page link)</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=160 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><IMG SRC="46898190.png" border=0 width="152" height="25" ALT="Works Spreadsheet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ministries"><IMG SRC="46998190.png" border=0 width="152" height="25" ALT="Works Spreadsheet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Staff Directory"><IMG SRC="46a98190.png" border=0 width="152" height="25" ALT="Works Spreadsheet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><IMG SRC="46b98190.png" border=0 width="152" height="25" ALT="Works Spreadsheet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><IMG SRC="46c98190.png" border=0 width="152" height="25" ALT="Works Spreadsheet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>Pskov Region</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="476c82c0.png" border=0 width="200" height="300" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="3"></div> <div> <B>Pskov and it’s Orphanages</B></div> <div> Pskov is situated in northwestern Russia and has external borders with Belarus, Estonia, and Latvia. Founded in the 10th century, this is a region rich in history. During the middle Ages, Pskov was a main stronghold on Russia's northwestern frontier and one of the largest cities in Europe. Many of the architectural monuments of medieval Pskov can still be seen. </div> <bR> <div> Today, there are approximately 8,000 orphans in the Pskov region, which is about the size of Pennsylvania. More than 7,000 children are brought up at the 36 orphanages and other institutions. Annually, more than 1,900 children are sent to the orphanages and boarding schools.   Orphans in Russia are exposed to shocking levels of cruelty and neglect. Infants are segregated into "lying-down" rooms, where they are bereft of stimulation and lack medical care. Older children are in constant danger and often suffer from malnourishment, neglect, and abuse.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="471c8960.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="150" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="2"><IMG SRC="47206040.png" border=0 width="6" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A typical "shower" at Russian orphanages consists of a rusty sink and running cold water that seldom works. This picture shows one of the two identical facilities for all 185 children at a Russian orphanage. The water leaks through the rotten floor into the boy's bathroom downstairs. Not having a proper shower facility is a common problem in Russian orphanages.  Most of the buildings that house orphans require major renovation and present daily physical and medical dangers for children.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>             </div> <div> <IMG SRC="4740db00.jpg" border=0 width="269" height="176" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="3"><IMG SRC="4750b070.png" border=0 width="11" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Russian Orphans ~ Facts and Statistics</B></div> <div> There are currently over 900,000 Russian orphans (and</div> <div>  over 1 million street children). After leaving their orphanages:</div> <div>  >    40% - become drug users </div> <div>  >    40% - commit crimes </div> <div>  >    10% - commit suicide</div> <div>  >    60% - girls - forced into prostitution</div> <div>  >    <B>50% - do not reach the age of 21</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>