RUSSIA: Retired Russian army paratrooper gives shelter and a chance at life to troubled youth

When former paratrooper Veniamin Makarov adopted his son, Petra, almost 35 years ago, he was motivated by self-interest to create a family with his wife since they were unable to conceive a child. But as the adoption process allowed him to learn more about the difficult plight of Russian orphans, he took the fateful step of adopting a second and a third boy. Since then, Makarov's concern for the welfare of these abandoned children has become a life-long and full-time passion to mould these lost boys into fine young men. Today, his `military family,' inspired by the army's formula of strict discipline and demanding physical exercise, can boast over 100 boys raised and educated, and at the age of 70, Makarov says he's not going to quit soon. His calling, however, has come at a price and his life has been filled with many trials and troubles. After he took in his third boy, his wife left him because she was unwilling to put up with having to deal with often uncontrollable and aggressive children who were struggling to overcome their substance abuse habits, such as glue-sniffing. But he feels vindicated by the results. "More than 100 children have lived and studied here at my family orphanage,'' said Makarov. "And 20 became army paratroopers. Our main goal is to help children become productive and fine citizens.'' Makarov usually gathers a group of between 8 and 10 boys, and raises and educates them until they are ready to go to the army, which has mandatory service for all Russian males at the age of 18. As time goes on, however, Makarov finds that the number of hurdles in his way only multiplies. The most serious threat is from local authorities who are unhappy with his unofficial status, and they are trying to get a court order to close his family. Foster families are still a new idea in Russia, and while some local authorities welcome and support them as a solution to the country's huge orphan problem, many officials remain suspicious of any private initiative that they do not directly control. Makarov points out that after more than three decades and an impressive track record, there is no reason to doubt his sincerity and ability. "I have already dedicated 35 years of my life to children,'' said Makarov. "And when I appeal to government bureaucrats to give me three, four, five more children, they answer that, hey, Makarov, you are old and you can't take care of children any longer,'' he added. The children, however, don't agree and while many come from difficult backgrounds and don't always have the easiest of personalities, they understand that they are being given a second, and perhaps only chance at life. "When I grow up I want to be somebody and not to be a loser,'' said one boy who says that Makarov has helped him find meaning in life. Makarov isn't all alone, however. He has some powerful supporters among parts of the establishment, who recognize and value his dedication and self-sacrifice. When he turned 70 last November, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch, Alexis II, awarded him the medal of St. Dmitry, the Righteous Tsarevich. This award was created to honour women who have five children or more, and Makarov is the first man to ever earn this distinction.

ITN Source | August 30, 2006

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