Even after the dreamed of adulthood, an orphan remains an orphan

In Lithuania, as everywhere else in the world, there are diverse ways of life and, unfortunately, circumstances that make children orphans. Sometimes this is a result of tragic events, but often parents are no longer able to raise their children themselves. If they cannot be adopted – which is the rule – these children then grow up in institutions.

When we founded the association “Children’s Villages in Lithuania e.V.” more than 20 years ago, we exclusively cared for underage orphans in the two children’s villages in Marijampole and Kaunas. Meanwhile, the education of underage orphans in Lithuania is well organized. After the age of majority, however, the state and support agencies withdraw – with the result that these young adults are left to fend for themselves.

However, even after the dreamed of coming of age, an orphan remains an orphan. Many feel as if they have been “thrown out on the street”, without a foothold, without a secure base and solid relationships. For them, sometimes growing up is like another “abandonment.” There are few related caregivers who can be trusted and who have a natural interest in helping orphans lead successful, independent lives.

This is how we close the gap with PATRIA

We, the team of “Kinder- und Jugendförderung in Litauen e.V.”, together with our generous supporters and the PATRIA team on site, close this system gap and accompany the young adults individually into independent life until they are 25 years old. And not only with material support. The social workers and psychologists of the PATRIA organization, who are partly financed by us, are often the only reference persons in the lives of orphans who have just become adults.

They accompany the young adults to the important appointments with authorities, educational institutions, banks, doctors and are the most important advisors and an emotional support in difficult life situations. They promote individual development – but they also demand…for example, the consistent implementation of jointly agreed training plans.

Monthly reports
Every month, PATRIA colleagues tell us about positive developments and examples. Sometimes children descended from the most hopeless conditions accept our help, find their way and develop, like any child from an ordinary family. Nevertheless, where there is light, there is also shadow.

The issues of young adults are our mission

Very often, our protégés are also confronted with stressful issues such as emotional abandonment, illness, unplanned pregnancies, addictions, crime, or even human trafficking. Even in such situations we extend a helping hand and offer individually tailored assistance.

The success stories give us strength
The efforts of social educators do not always lead to success. But we are proud of many success stories that motivate us. The gratitude of the young people also proves to us that we are on the right track and shows that it is worthwhile to work for a better world, to invest in young people and to work with them. We are also motivated by the cooperation with local educators, who confirm us in our work. We maintain a very personal partnership and an open, respectful collaboration with all parties involved. Last but not least, we are also spurred on by feedback from our sponsors and supporters. We feel the gratitude for our volunteer efforts here as well.