Boarding School Number 5

 

Building started on Boarding School number 5 in 1959 and was finally opened in 1961. The site contains two major buildings, one for classrooms and administration; the other contains sleeping dormitories. Prior to 2003 over 600 children were housed at this institution.

The main dormitory building has been closed since September 2003 and is being refurbished by the authorities. During the winters of 2003 – 2007 the children have been housed at the Victoria Summer Camp which is situated about half a mile distant. The children often have to walk between the sites regardless of weather conditions. A tram route (19) operates between the two institutions at thirty minute intervals but does not operate when the weather is at its worst. The expected date for completion of the sleeping block has been continuously put back. No-one really knows when this will be.

	This is a photograph taken of the main educational block at Boarding School Number 5.
	This is the sleeping accommodation which is currently being refurbished. The standard of workmanship is acceptable however no allowance has been made for recreational facilities for the children. This charity has already refurbished one room in the main educational block transforming it into a fully equipped play and recreation room.

Boarding School Number 5 houses principally children from underprivileged families and those who do not hold state paperwork. This can be due to the children being abandoned or perhaps because of the deaths of their parent(s). Underprivileged children include those whose parent(s) may be criminals, drug addicts or alcoholics and where the children are ‘at risk' through violence or abuse.

Children who are not classified as ‘true' orphans receive reduced funding from the state. This places particular pressure on the boarding school. Many of the underprivileged children who return home at evenings or weekends are not fed properly by their parents. Food is therefore spread thinly between all the children.

Only when children are given ‘orphan' status or their parents deprived of their parental rights by the authorities will the orphanage receive full funding. This is in itself hardly adequate. It is not surprising therefore that many of these children are undernourished.

The catering facilities at this institution have been the subject of an experiment into privatisation with the utilisation of an outside catering contractor. It must be said that current standards of hygiene are well below those witnessed in many of the other institutions of Odessa .

It is important to remember that no formal training has been given to any member of staff. They are clearly unaware that there is a problem. Training of staff is an area of neglect that needs to be addressed before criticism can be levelled at any individual.

Some of the problems noted during a visit in mid 2007 included:

No rotation of stored food. Sacks of potatoes were rotting as they had not been moved as fresh supplies arrived

Animals allowed to roam at will throughout the kitchen area.

No separation of cooked and uncooked food.

Piles of dirty dishes and bowls, some of which had clearly been left for an unacceptable length of time.

	This is not purported to be a complete list but does give an indication of the current state of affairs.       This is an oven used for baking bread.
	This device is used to make soup. As you can see it is extremely old and in urgent need of replacement.
	This is the cold store for food. Only one of the refrigeration units now works. The room is no longer cold and food can deteriorate quickly during the hot summer months. Urgent action is required now to prevent a possible outbreak of food poisoning.
This is the compressor that drives the refrigeration unit. It has been repaired many times. It will not last much longer.
	Food in one of the food storage rooms.
	Another example of how food is stored at the institution. Shelving is clearly required.
	A further example of the poor facilities available for food storage.
	The main food preparation and cooking area at the institution.
	An example of a machine used in food preparation in an extremely dirty condition.
	The dirty condition of these pots and pans left lying around is clear. This poor standard of hygiene must be addressed.
	This is the area devoted to cleaning the dishes. It is clearly inadequate.
	This is a view of the main electrical fuse box. As can be seen the wiring is very old and in urgent need of replacement.
	This antiquated chopping block is used to prepare meat.
	Another example of an unkempt work area.
	One of the many animals that consider the kitchen area their home.