While adoption offers hope for a small percentage of Russian orphans, most will never be adopted.  In the world we know, most children celebrating their "sweet sixteenth" birthday are surrounded and supported by a network of loving family members and friends.  For the tens and thousands of Russian orphaned boys and girls, turning sixteen means they will be graduating, and will be sent out alone to exist in their world with little preparation and a future with virtually no hope.

Statistics show that only one out of ten Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society.  Approximately 90% of orphans will end up in crime, drugs, and/or prison after "graduating" from their orphanage.  Millions of Russian children are on the run living on the streets or in underground sewers, desperately needing food, medicine and clothing.  The others are lost to drugs, crime and suicide.

In response to these soberting statistics, Embraced by Hope is proud to be parterning with Tomsk Hobby Center.  The Hobby Center is located in Tomsk, Russia.  In an effort to help the "graduates" transition from institutional living to life on their own, the Hobby Center has created the Sputniki Club.  Sputniki Club is in its second year of operation, working with orphanage graduates who are some of the best students from their former institutions.  They have made the decision to continue to study in Tomsk, but their new-found freedom creates many challenges.  Their first experience with an independent life after a long period of having no choices, makes life very difficult. 

The funding the graduates receive from the government does not provide enough for living expenses and is even inadequate for food.  The Sputniki Club helps these young people improve their living conditions by raising funds for simple household appliances, purchasing text-books and school supplies, helping them become acquainted with their city, and provides access to lawyers, doctors, psychologists and teachers.

The Sputniki Club receives no government funding.  They are responsible for raising all funds to keep these important services available to those who need it most.

Statistics provided by IOrphan and Children's Hope International