Boarding School 'Tuzli'

 

Boarding school “Tuzli” is located 115 kilometers south of Odessa , and is home to 180 children. Around 140 of those children are orphans, and about 40 of them are from disadvantaged families. On the one hand, it is one of the biggest and most friendly institutions we have visited. On the other, it is one of the oldest and most out of date.

The territory of the site is divided into two blocks: the sleeping block and the teaching block. We have visited the sleeping block and noticed that it was organized in the most unusual, yet most thoughtful way. The sleeping block consists of 8 one-story houses which are occupied by groups of children related to each other, rather than by age. In other words, each house will contain children ranging all ages, in an effort to keep family groups together.

Each house has about 20 beds, a living room, and room for very basic hygiene which holds toothbrushes, towels, and buckets used for washing and showering. Toilets are located outside of the building, between the sleeping and the teaching block. They are used by children of all ages, during all seasons of the year. The toilets consist of open holes in the ground inside an antiquated shack. There are no bathing or showering facilities on site.

The condition of the boarding school overall is very run down. Windows are more than 40 years old, some have been completely shut off due to glass damage. The heating is provided by burning logs. Often that is not enough, and entrance door are covered with blankets in order to keep the cold out during the winter months.

In all, boarding school ‘Tuzli' needs help. It is a big institution that manages the lives of 180 children. Most importantly, the staff at the orphanage is all nice people that are only too happy to welcome any sort of aid.

	One of the houses that holds around 20 children
	The beds in one of the houses. Each house has between 17-22 beds. The beds need urgent replacement, as do the mattresses and the bedding.

A closed off window and door, both of which need to be replaced. It is these types of doors that are no longer able to keep the cold out during winter. For this reason there is often a thick blanket hung just after the door to help keep the warmth from escaping the house.

The only light bulb used to illuminate a room of approximately 30 square meters.

The children are relaxed and happy working on their homework in one of the houses. It was clear the Tuzli is a ‘happy' institution which would make good use of any assistance offered.

General views of the children and their home. Clearly investment is needed.

	Three of the pictures above are of the room for used to wash up, brush teeth, and wash some clothes using an antiquated washing machine.

With your help we would like to give as much assistance to the orphanage at Tuzli as we can. Beds, linen, washing machines and toilet facilities are among the items we would like to address first. Some assistance to building repairs, sports facilities and educational equipment also feature in our plans. Please read our ‘blog' for regular charity updates.

Our Work at Tuzli.

	By September 2008, the charity has supplied the orphanage with 60 brand new beds and mattresses together with linens and bedcovers. It is our intention to continue replacing beds at a rate of 10 units per month until all the existing beds have been replaced. This photograph shows one of the dorms equipped with new beds.
	In addition, the charity has purchased six brand new 5kg washing machines to replace the existing outdated machines in the dormitories. Unfortunately, problems with the water supply has prevented them being installed in the dorms (mid 2008). Instead they have been temporarily sited in another building until such time as the water supply problems can be rectified.

During summer 2008, the charity, together with our friend from the Heritage Fund, arranged a summer sports day and provided a selection of sports equipment.

	Prior to beds being delivered, each dorm has been decorated with materials supplied by the charity. In addition, to complete the new washing machine facilities at the institution, a large 25kg washing machine was delivered during August 2008. The machine will be installed shortly once the entrance to the laundry building has been extended to allow the new machine to be sited!

As each bed has been delivered, the charity has also managed to supply new linens and covers. On the 4 th August 2008 , contestants from the Miss Teen Ukraine competition visited the institution to entertain the children as well as to help with the delivery of the bedding.

The entrants from the Miss Teen Ukraine competition enjoyed their time with the children and handed out the new bedding as well as candies to the children.

A notice has been installed at Tuzli to promote the activities of the charity.