The Children Meet the Queen!

By Mirjami Ivanov
PHOTOS: Ilpo Lukus, ILTALEHTI
See more photos in the Photo Gallery

Our Moscow shelter home for street children was honored by a visit of a rare and appreciated guest, as Silvia the Queen of Sweden came to see our work on October the 9th, 2001, during the Royal visit to Russia.

Through her own example, the Queen emphasized the value of each child on the streets. Of all possible places to visit, she chose the home of these children and gave them her time and attention.

An unforgettable day at the Moscow shelter home

We experienced a unique moment in the history of our work when Queen Silvia honored our shelter home by her visit during the first Royal visit to Russia by King and Queen of Sweden since 23 years. The visit of the Queen, who in many ways works for improving the plight of needy children in the world, was connected to the cooperation of Mission Possible and World Childhood Foundation, the organization founded by the Queen. The visit of the Queen was an unexpected honor and encouragement for our organization.

The shelter home was safer than ever

The safety measures began a couple of days prior to the visit. The entire building was thoroughly searched. In the morning of the day of the visit tens of policemen came to guard the building and to direct the traffic.

When it became close to nine o’clock, a group of high-positioned visitors arrived. The home was suddenly full of people. In the midst of everything, the children concentrated their attention to table-icehockey. The crowd of reporters around them didn’t see to bother them. Probably the children didn’t even fully understand what was again going on in the strange world of the grown-ups...

The expected moment comes

It felt unreal when a beautiful, blue car with a Swedish flag turned from the narrow, bumpy street and drove through the gate to the uneven asphalt yard. The high-positioned convoy somehow didn’t fit the ramshackle environment — and it felt so strange that our shelter home, which during these years had gone through so many difficulties, suddenly had became a scene of a state visit!

A moment later Queen Silvia came out of the car — charming and smiling as we have learnt to see her in newspapers. The children were watching the arrival of their guest through the second floor windows.

The Queen discussed the plight of street children

Mission Possible Finland’s director Ignat Ivanov, who hosted the visit together with the home director Gennadi Dolbin, welcomed the Queen. During the tour in the home, Queen Silvia used a lot of time for discussions on street children’s plight, family background and drug abuse.

The children met the Queen when she came to see the two classrooms. The teaching was going on there — as if the pupils and teachers were able to concentrate themselves on studies... The classrooms were packed with reporters and photographers.

A warm hug and roses

After the Queen had been shown the facility, the children surrounded her with flowers in their hands in the hall illuminated by camera flashes. Diana, who was supposed to hand the Queen a bouquet, forgot to feel nervous and gave her a spontanous long hug. — One more moment and the Queen was gone.

We can only wonder what might have been the feelings of these children who just some years ago still lived on the streets, neglected and despised by everybody, when a real Queen came to see them. They will probably never forget the beatiful Queen, dressed in white, and the solemn but hearty atmosphere she created — we could tell that by their faces and faschinated looks.