Increasing tensions led to the outbreak of the 2008 South Ossetia war. After the war, a number of incidents have occurred in both conflict zones, and tensions between the belligerents remain high.  Due to the devasting loss of life and resulting economic challenges, these incidents have left thousands of children either orphaned or abandoned.

Figures that estimate the number of abandoned/homeless children in Russia are somewhat unreliable. The Russian Children's Fund estimated in 2001 that there were some 2.5 million homeless children, although other estimates reached as high as 4 million.   

With that being said, another report indicates that 9 out of 10 of these orphaned/abandoned children will end up in crime or prostitution leading to imprisonment.   

Most Russian orphans would be in foster homes if they were in America.  There is no developed foster home system in Russia.  Although placing a child in an orphanage costs the government more than placing a child in a foster home in Russia, the government has been slow in encouraging the development of foster homes.

Conditions in orphanages vary greatly.  Most do not have adequate plumbing or physical facilities.  Children live in crowded quarters and many personal items and clothing items are in short supply.  Many orphanages do not have bathing or shower facilities for the children, and many do not have washing machines to wash the children's clothing.  Food is usually adequate, but fruit is usually a rare treat for the children.

Although the living conditions for the orphans in Russia may need improving, the real tragedy for Russian orphans is that they live in a protected and very regimented environment for 15 or 16 years, and then "graduate" into a world where they have little chance of succeeding.  The system is indeed setting them up for failure.

GET INVOLVED!

We understand that not every person is able to adopt an orphaned or abandoned child, but EVERYONE has the ability to empower an orphan.  By joining us in New York City, NY on June 24th, 2011 at 7:30PM at the Abigail Adams Auditorium (Colonial Dames of America) for an evening of live entertainment including: dancers, musicians with exotic instruments, singers, etc; you'll be supporting a worthwhile cause that will provide meals, proper housing, education, sports activities, self-esteem life lessons and more!  So come on!!  Round up those quarters and dimes and donate the contents of your households loose-change to benefit the humanitarian efforts and contributions of the Order of St. John to the orphanages in Georgia!!

A GALA OF SONGS & DANCES OF THE CAUCASUS

Featuring: Pesvebi Dancers, St. Nino's Choir and Paintings of the Caucasus  

Dinner Reception

Friday, June 24th, 2011 ~ 7:30PM SHARP

The Abigail Adams Auditorium  

Colonial Dames of America

417 East 61st Street, New York, NY

Benefactor Tickets: $250 each (Benefactors will be listed in the program)

Patron Tickets: $125 each

Make checks payable to: the Order of Saint John

Additional information, please call: The Order's Headquarters at  

(914) 667-6004 or (914) 664-5649 evenings

SEE EXPLORER ARTICLE ON THE HISTORY OF THE "HOSPITALLERS" & VIDEO CLIP HERE