A Visit to Kovalevo Boy’s Home
by Elena Gutteridge
This past January 2006, I traveled to Russia and visited the Kovalevo Boy's Home, located about 6 hours northeast of Moscow. I have visited this home every year, since 2000.
Currently, there are 35 boys living here. They are divided into "family" groups of 7 each, with a range of ages from 3-17. Father Andrey (Voronin), the director, and a team of teachers, watch over the boys -- educating and raising them in an Orthodox family/church environment. They all attend weekly services in the small town of Nerekhta, at the Church of the Transfiguration, where Father Andrey is the pastor.
Father Andrey works tirelessly to find sponsors and to raise the much-needed funds to sustain the orphanage. The home has it's own farm and vegetable garden. There is also a wood-working shop, where the boys learn to make cabinets, tables, chairs (and more) for sale. They learn skills that will help them become independent and productive, once they are ready to leave the home.
Twice a year, the boys who have worked hard at home and in school, are rewarded with a much deserved holiday. In the summer, they take a challenging sailing trip down the Volga River and in winter, a climbing expedition to one of the highest peaks in Russia. For the past two winters, they climbed to the top of Mount Elbrus, where Fr. Andrey celebrated the Liturgy. These trips have been fully sponsored and paid for by generous donors.
On Christmas Day (Jan 7), they attended Liturgy and Matins at midnight. Then the boys gathered to enjoy songs, poetry and skits. They then prepared shashlik — delicious meat from their own livestock.
I brought photos and letters from the girls in our church school. The boys were excited to learn a little about their life here.
If you would like more information about the Boy's Home or wish to make a donation, please call Elena at (415) 665-6814.
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