UPDATED October 13, 1997
While the Tartu Shelter is for boys, it does have a day-only program where children come by after school and are cared for until the evening. These are children with unsatisfactory conditions at home who need special care. This program includes girls and that is why we have a few included here.
We saw Anne Schotter on October 11, 1997 and discussed her Tartu program in greater detail. If you are interested in helping, please write to me at estonia@kubik.org or to Rachel Kenady at rachel@kubik.org for how you can help.
Meet some of our children....
KALEV was born on March 23, 1987 at Tartu. He is growing in an asocial family. Both of
his parents are out of a job and have serious problems with alcohol. The family has no
permanent means of living. They live on the State's subsidies appointed 
for children and other kinds of benefits. Now and
again they earn money as odd-jobbers.
Kalev's brother Guido is one year younger than Kalev. Since last autumn the brothers lived together. On November 21, 1996 their mother signed the agreement to abandon the younger son. Now Guido lives in Taheva orphanage.
The room where the family lives is the size of 12 meters by 2 without any conveniences. The condition of the housing is very poor. Due to lack of room one of the brothers (in most cases Guido) had to sleep in a commonly used lobby in front of a top-room door. The children look uncared and undernourished.
Kalev goes to the second form of the Tartu Tame Gymnasium. Though the parents do not help him to prepare his lessons, Kalev's progress at school is excellent. His form mistress characterizes him as a dutiful pupil, whose attitude towards his studies is decent. He is a modest, reserved and uncommunicative nature, his attitude towards peers is kind. As he feels ashamed of his home he does not forgather with classmates outside the school.
The form mistress asserts that Kalev's talent for music is above the average and he draws well. He attends the music class.
ALBERT was born on March 27, 1985 at Tartu [More on Albert --
please click here]. His father is serving a long-term sentence in penitentiary 
and has never been interested in his son's life.
Albert's mother is not able to solve their everyday problems, she is socially unskilled
and does not cope with bringing up her son. Several times Albert has been in children's
shelter. The flat where mother and son lived in is situated in the most miserable district
of the town. The rooms were dirty and without conveniences. Albert went to school one year
later than his age mates. Mother did not take any interest neither in Albert's studies nor
in compulsory school attendance. Albert was absent every other day. He had no clothes and
other things needed for school. Mother did not take notice of her son's life. Thus Albert
roamed around by himself lifting food and money.
Since the autumn of 1995 Albert lives in the shelter of Tartu "Kristlik Kodu". He had to continue his studies following a special programme because he went to school only for 11 days during the first half year. Due to high intelligence he completed the course of the third form with in the second half year and finished the form with honour certificate.
Now Albert lives in Tartu "Kristlik Kodu", goes to the fourth form and takes lessons on playing the piano at the Tartu Music School. He is a good pupil, the only problem is the English language.
Albert is of sunny nature and exposed to communication. At the same time he distrusts his age mates and is not thick with them. He is more open with adults, but does not get attached easily.
Albert is fond of reading and TV scientific programmes. He is interested in foreign countries and strange cultures. He is of rich fantasy. He writes verses, small stories and musical pieces.
UPDATE 10/13/97 --> Albert is doing quite well. He is taking music lessons. Donations made for him have been used to buy him some badly-needed new clothes.
RAIGO was born on November 18, 1980 at Tartu. At the age of four months he was given into an orphanage. His biological parents have not been identified.
At the age of eight years the family of a well-known 
theatre person adopted Raigo. Both of the step-parents had been married and
changed partners several times. Soon domestic scenes and drinking parties began.
Especially aggressive and violent was his step-mother. Raigo was often beaten up and as
the sequel to physical punishment he was sent out of doors to be freezing.
When he boy was ten, his step-parents got divorced. Raigo stayed with his step-father and traveled with him about Estonian theatres, putting up for the nights in hotels, hostels and theatre dressing rooms. At the age of eleven he became a street boy because his step-father lacked jobs due to alcoholism and was not able to be responsible for the boy anymore. At twelve Raigo was sent to an orphanage again. His step-parents were deprived of parental rights by order of the court.
Since the autumn of 1996 Raigo live in the shelter of Tartu "Kristlik Kodu". He go to the eighth form of the Tartu Free-Waldorf School.
Raigo is of excellent intelligence. He is open-minded and exposed to communication. His world outlook is unconventional. His social intercourses are influenced by his street boy period. He is fond of music and cinema. He dreams about cinematographic education and the career of film director or producer.
RENE was born in 1982 at Tartu. There are three children in the family, the youngest
child is only one year old. The eldest daughter will finish high school this spring. Rene
goes to the eighth form. His marks are "fives" and "fours" and he
takes part in 
different subject contests. In
addition, he goes to art school. The local administration appointed him the stipend
"Grant for Excellence Pupil".
Rene's family is an asocial one. His father and mother have serious problems with alcohol and they do not take care of their children. Mother is used to tramp and one year old baby is often nursed by elder children and that is why they are very often absent from school.
The family's income includes the State's subsidy for children and father's salary. Often all the money is spent for alcohol and the kids have to live on their own wages.
Because of unpaid rent the electricity was turned off. The children have to prepare their lessons by candle light.
SISTERS TEELE AND TRIIN - Teele was born on July 31, 1985 at Tartu, Triin was born on February 16,
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1983 at Tartu.
There are five children in the family. After father's death in 1995 mother had to take care of the kids alone. A son, one of the elder children studies at higher school, another son goes to trade school. Daughter Tiina finished high school in the spring of 1996, but she could not continue her studies due to family's poor financial situation.
Teele and Triin are excellent pupils, they get only the highest marks and are of exemplary behaviour.
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They are well cared and their clothes are clean, but everything indicates poverty. Mother is a pensioner and does not go to work. The elder sons do not get any grants. Family's only income is the State's subsidy, but is not enough to maintain and educate the children.
The social workers of the Children's Welfare Organization and the board of the school speak well about mother's diligence and strength. Education is highly valued in the family.
Teele's and Triin's school is of literary bias.
JANA was born in 1986 at Tartu. Jana's mother is not a scholar and has no job. She
often changes life partners and we do not know mother's present address. She has 
never been interested in her daughter's life.
Jana's father is alcoholic.
Jana lives with her paternal great-aunt, who is in good old age. Maternal grandmother tries to help also to the best of her ability, but she is pensioner and has no financial capabilities. Jana has no more close relatives.
Jana goes to the third form, her marks are "fives" and "fours". Her clothing is clean, but miserable. Her home is extremely poor, they have problems buying food.
Jana is a nervous child. Due to shortage and meager choice of food Jana is undernourished and her health is weakened.