City Health and Sports camp ‘Victoria'

  

Name of Director: Petros A. Sarcisyan
Telephone Number of Institute: +38 0482 401 306, +38 048 717 02 57
Address of Institute: 93, Dacha Kovalevskogo, Odessa, 65038
Number of Children: 250

 

Petros manages an efficient and happy institution and is highly respected by the children.

The camp was originally built in 1953 as a joint venture between the Ukraine government and parents of children who worked in the service industry. In 2000 the buildings were re-allocated for use as a summer camp for orphans.





One of the summer chalets used to house children
during the hot summer months.

There is one main dormitory building, which is in excellent condition, plus a number of chalets. The chalets are in need of refurbishment. Many have broken window frames and rotting woodwork.

Despite the severe weather conditions experience by Ukraine in winter, since 2003 the children of Orphanage number 5 have had to use the dormitory facilities at Victoria whilst their own building is being refurbished. This has entailed the children walking between the two sites despite inadequate footwear and clothing. The Orphanages have no transport facilities of their own.



A typical dorm in the main sleeping building at
Victoria Camp.

Victoria Camp is essential for the well being of the children. The beach is only a short distance away where they can play at will during the summer school break. The location is ideal, however as property prices increase there is concern that the government may wish to sell the site to raise money. We have to hope this will not happen.

The catering block is in reasonable condition however most of the cooking and eating utensils are in urgent need of replacement.

In common with all the Institutions, Victoria camp needs a regular supply of basic goods such as soap, detergent, girl's hygienic materials, toothpaste etc. As children here are physically active the need for regular washing of clothes is even more important.

Until 2006 there were no facilities to wash clothes at Victoria camp. The children had to wash their own clothes by hand – particularly difficult during the winter months. A building was selected which could be equipped with washing machines and was fitted out by the charities founders last year.

Although the government is obliged to pay for the cleaning of Orphanage property, such as towels and pillowcases, there is no such requirement to pay for cleaning materials for the children. As a consequence this charity supplies this orphanage with detergents on an as required basis.

Victoria Camp benefits from an extremely enthusiastic Director that always puts the children first in all matters. There is no doubt that this institution is well managed – just ask the children! Despite the dilapidated kitchen, the catering staff do their best to produce healthy food in a clean kitchen.

Some of the other institutions could learn a great deal from this establishment.

A view of the kitchen and dining block at Victoria Camp.

The dining area for the children at Victoria Camp.

The electrical infrastructure in the kitchen area is in urgent need of replacement.

This is the fire suppression equipment for the kitchen and dining block. It is completely useless and new equipment is needed.

This is a view of the floor inside the kitchen. The drains are open. It is impossible to maintain high standards of hygiene in conditions such as these.

Food storage refrigerators. The majority no longer work. All need to be replaced.

A view of the main food preparation and cooking area at Victoria Camp.

A second view of the main food preparation and cooking area. As can be seen the facilities are spotless and a credit to the staff.

This piece of machinery is used to grind meat. It has done so for a very long time and needs to be replaced.

Pots and pans storage room at Victoria.

This is used to prepare soups for the children. It is unreliable as the thermostat no longer works properly. It is clearly in need of replacement.

This area is used to clean kitchen utensils. The overall poor condition of the building can clearly be seen.

This freezer no longer works.

This is the cold store. It is situated a short distance from the kitchen block in a separate building. It no longer works putting the children at risk as food cannot be kept for long periods. The possibility of food poisoning is always present.

This is the compressor the drives the refrigeration unit in the cold store. It is beyond repair.

This building lies derelict on the orphanage complex. It could be rebuilt and put to use if money was available. There is a great deal of space at Victoria Camp which if utilised better, perhaps by employing temporary buildings as classrooms and for accommodation, a substantial number of street children could be accommodated here.

An indication of the space available at Victoria Camp that with foresight could be put to good us e