Some have at least one living parent or other relative, but their families are unable to care for them for reasons of alcoholism or drug abuse, incarceration, mental illness or other health problems, or simply severe poverty. Some families abandon children they can no longer afford to feed. All of the orphanages are full and have long waiting lists. They are prey to pimps, pedophiles, and diseases that include HIV and tuberculosis. Needless to say, children in secular orphanages and on the streets have few opportunities to learn about or experience their Jewish heritage.
Many people are surprised to learn that the situation is so bad.
However, the Joint focuses its efforts on the needy elderly and provides only minimal support for one of the orphanages. For more information, please see our News and Links sections. Donate directly to the organizations helping children. The site is entirely run by volunteers, and does not accept donations. We particularly need volunteers outside the US, and those who can help us with site text and respond to questions in Russian, Ukrainian, and Hebrew.