New Life Ministries’ orphanage work has spanned the past 16 years in the countries of the former Soviet Union. What has developed through the years is a comprehensive program that seeks to minister to orphans and orphanages on several different levels.

In Russia alone, there are an estimated 2 million children on the streets, over 600,000 children ages 0-18 years old in close to 1,800 orphanages, and well over 100,000 more are being abandoned to the already overrun orphanages of Russia.

“The numbers of children (abandoned) are increasing every year, and the system is overburdened. Resources are stretched to the limit and we have no staff to bring up these children properly. The easy way is to say nothing can be done with them, and that’s what happens all too frequently.”

Maria Ternovskaya, Director, Children’s Home #19, Moscow, Russia
                                    (Christian Science Monitor, January 12, 1999)

  “Thousands of children in Russia also run away from home, usually to escape alcoholic parents who rarely try to find their offspring. Moreover, abandoned children often face abuses in Russia’s state-sponsored and underfunded orphanages.”

Sergei Blagov, “Kremlin Voices Concern Over Homeless Children,” International Press Service, January 16, 2002

What can be done? New Life Ministries is committed to a comprehensive approach that begins with the recruiting, training and support of national teams who commit to visit government orphanages we are working with at least one weekend per month.

This program has been ongoing at Gvardyehskoyeh orphanage in Ukraine, a 50 year old decaying facility that 270 orphans call home.

For the past two years, a Ukrainian ministry team has traveled one weekend per month to Gvardyehskoyeh, to build relationships with the orphanages, conduct character building Bible activities, teach crafts, lead recreational activities.

In addition, we provide for the physical needs of the individual orphans whether it be clothes, winter boots, winter coats. Building projects are undertaken. For example, when we first started working with Gvardyehskoyeh orphanage, there was no hot water, indoor toilets, or showers. We are currently finishing our third project there, and as of today, have installed hot water heaters, renovated pipes, and built two full sets of tile showers, one in the girls’ wing, and one in the boys’ wing.

Our next two projects will include building indoor toilets, and renovating a meeting room for the team’s work when they come.

A third aspect of our work involves summer camps we sponsor (our thirteenth year) in the Crimea. The team selects a small group of the most faithful and serious orphans, and they are sponsored to attend our three week summer discipleship camp. During this time, they grow and change tremendously.

Our fourth phase revolves around the transition of orphans from the orphanage into real life. Statistically, the future is bleak for these orphans, Within three years, ten percent commit suicide. Our transition program, called “Fresh Start” provides the adult orphan with much needed help and support in terms of living expenses, further job training, and establishing a support network through the local church.

If you would like to support this ongoing effort of orphan ministry, visit our main page, click on “donate” on the left side of the page, and follow the instructions. You can designate your help to go towards the orphanage team’s work.

Currently, two teams are established in Ukraine and Belarus, and both need our prayers and support.

Below are pictures of the completed shower project in the girls wing, in use now for the past year, and the second shower project in progress on the boys' side. A major portion of this project involved renovations of existing pipes, and installation of hot water heaters.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE ORPHANAGE MINISTRY, CLICK ON 'DONATE' ...THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR ORPHAN MINISTRY