MARINA DOLBINA
Street patrol leader

The Abandoned Youth of the Streets of Moscow

The Moscow street patrol, being lead by Marina Dolbina, visits four locations five days a week. As the result of continuous effort, children and youngsters are guided off the streets every month. Every year, the patrol reaches approx. 500 chilren under the age of 17 and also youth over 17.

When A Cookie Broke the Ice

Every day the youth on the streets wait for our arrival, so that we could bring them encouragement and hope, and a listening ear. Every life is a tragedy. Everyone has forgotten them. The police chase them from one railway station to the next, and the doors of the prison are open ready to receive them.

Nearly all of them have alcoholic parents or a violent stepfather. They have never seen anything good in their lives, only fighting and yelling. Hate and bitterness toward the whole world has been planted in their hearts, and they do not know where to direct their anger.

They must be made to see that they are loved, they are heard, and someone wants to sincerely help them - that they were born for some good reason.

The Boy Who Hates Women

A boy, 15-year-old Igor, came to the railway station in Kursk. He hates all women.
- All women are... My mother sent me to a children's home when I was 1. I don't ever remember her. My father took me in later, but he was killed when I was 9.
I spoke with Igor for a long time. - Not all women are bad, I said to her.
- They're not? "Well, bring me some cookies and mineral water then," he said and smiled faintly.

The next day Igor waited for us more than anyone else. - Well? You didn't remember, he said, looking at us intently.

I believe that at the moment when Igor received the cookies and the bottle of water, something cracked inside him. He had not expected that we'd remember his wish. His countenance changed. And when I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, he broke down.

Just a little love and attention - that is enough. Igor had never experienced the love of a mother. A couple of cookies transformed a rough teen into a little child!

The Hooded Girl

16-year Lera has her head always covered with a hood. She would not take the hat I offered her: "I can't wear it, my scalp is sore." I pulled the hood off her head. Her head was like an ant hill, full of lice and sores!

We took Lera to a lice treatment. The chemicals hurt terribly, but she gnashed her teeth and handled it. She was extremely thankful for our assistance.

We helped Lera to return to her family's home in Moscow. "How will I manage without you?" she said. To our joy, Lera visits us occasionally during the patrols!

Yura's Transformation
Yura, 17, one of the youths we know, was always shabby and filthy. . We sent him to rehabilitation in the Jaroslavl farm, and you wouldn't believe he is the same boy. He now has a more focused outlook, and it is a pleasure to see him singing gospel songs wholeheartedly with others. I believe he has a good life ahead of him!

Children Under the Station

Alyona, 13, started to prostitute at the age of 10. She used to hang around at a train stop, where the children have a hideaway under the platform. We were finally able to have Alyona return home. One of the reasons was that she received a dangerous infection from the lice bites. Her entire scalp was an oozing wound, and we had to shave her hair. Ayjona understood that being on the streets is not a game.

God Bless these children who need so much understanding and love to heal their wounds!

Translated by Jari Vesterinen, Jamtrex Language Services