On a hill with a view over the Lithuanian capital Vilnius lies the children´s home Atsigrezk where 60 children between 1-18 years lead their lives. They are some of the about 6 000 children in Lithuania who are growing up in institutions. Most of the children at Atsigrezk are not orphans, but have been victims of physical, psychological or sexual abuse at home. During the Soviet regime, it was common that parents lost the custody over their children, who were then placed in institutions. Today, Lithuania is striving to put an end to this sad tradition and mistreatment of children. So far the country has not had a lot of success, and the number of 3 000 children taken into institutional care every year has been stable for many years.

 

The staff at Atsigrezk is fighting hard to give the children a good start in life, but the way to adulthood is long for children growing up in institutions. Life at the orphanage is highly organised and full of rules and activities, which makes the change especially tough to handle as the children suddenly are supposed to take care of themselves.

 

In order to give young adults about to move out of the children´s home the skills to adjust, Atsigrezk started a work skills program preparing them for an independent life. For example, visits at different work places, practical vocational orientation, computer classes, practical seminars and vocational counselling are arranged.

 

– Most children living in institutions don´t know what they want to become or what they should study. They lack motivation to study and show weak results in school, says project coordinator Rima Breidokienė.

 

The project leader at Atsigrezk tries to find out what the children want to do, and what professions they are suitable and have interest for. Through connections at local companies and institutions she arranges practical vocational training places, part time and full time jobs for the youths who are interested.

 

Aleksandras Kožutovas is 22 years old and moved out of Atsigrezk one year ago. He rents a room together with a friend and works as an assistant for a carpenter. At the same time, he is studying to become a construction worker.

 

– I actually wanted to work as a mechanic, but construction workers are better paid, he says.

 

Aleksandras is a hard-working young man, the staff at Atsigrezk points out. They have invited him and two friends who also moved out of the children´s home to discuss how their lives are developing. Life outside of Atsigrezk is all right but lonely, says Aleksandras. All of his friends still live at the children´s home.

 

Erika Zablockaja is a 17-year old high school student who just recently moved out of Atsigrezk to her own apartment. Through the work skills project she earlier worked part time at a restaurant.

 

– It was a very good job since I earned pocket money, she says.

 

Director Sigita Ignatovičienė is happy to be able to offer the children at Atsigrezk support and motivation to work and study.

 

– Thanks to the support from World Childhood Foundation, we are able to run projects as the work-skills program, she says.

Aleksandras Kožutovas and Erika Zablockaja are grateful for the possibility to participate in the work-skills program. They both have plans for the future.

 

– I would like to work abroad. That would give me a better life, says Aleksandras.

 

– I want to go to university, and maybe I want to become a police officer, Erika says.

 

Author: Maja Svenonius

The photo above: Erika Zablockaja, Aleksandras Kožutovas and Martynas Černinus recently moved out of the children´s home Atsigrezk in Vilnius, Lithuania. They live on their own in flats, have jobs and study.

 

 

 Since 2001, Childhood is financing a number of projects at the day centre at Atsigrezk. The goal is to strengthen the children´s confidence and psychological health, minimize aggressive behaviour and give the children a better chance to lead independent lives in the future. In addition to the work-skills program, Childhood currently supports two other projects:

 

• Laume is a project aimed at the girls at Atsigrezk. Girls growing up in institutions are very vulnerable and particularly at risk for committing suicide or ending up with drug- or alcohol addiction or eating disorders. To strengthen the girls´ self-confidence and to prepare them for a life on their own, the project includes art-therapy, weekly discussion groups and periodical camps with different themes.

 

• The Activity Centre offers after-school activities such as sports, language, computing, theatre, arts, dancing, and support with school work. The aim is prevention and to promote a healthy life style. The Activity Center is open for all children.

 

For more information about Atsigrezk, please visit www.atsigrezk.org