Peacemakers in
the War of the Clans

Alexander Osipov, Odessa

In the middle of the everyday life of Odessa, there is a war going on - without the residents knowing anything about it. There is a fight for territory, for barracks, for passage ways, for girls...

The railway station’s surroundings are a culmination spot of the war between three groups of street children. These clans are called the Stationites, the “Kulikovs” and the “Undergrounds”. The groups represent different ages, they have different interests — and they cannot stand each other. The Undergrounds are the oldest, 17-18-years of age. You usually find them in the subway listening heavy rock. Their common problem is alcohol. These boys know we don’t feed them, but they come to see us anyway. The Stationites are the largest group. These 15-16 -old boys’ passion is rap-music. The group dominates the railway station and square. It has several leaders whom the others fear, because these leaders determine their living conditions.

Taras, 11, is a typical representative of the “Kulikov” Clan.

10-14 -year-old Kulikovs are the youngest and most vulnerable group. These children often sleep on bare ground in the park called “Kulikov’s Field”. We also find them sleeping in garbage containers, on trees and park benches. These children have many mental problems and physical injuries and diseases. They are outcasts from whom everybody turns away, and they are the ones that are always made scapegoats.

Kulikovs and Stationites, two hostile groups, spend every day one hour and a half in peace at the street patrol.

The Kulikovs have to struggle with all their strength to stay alive. They are beaten almost every day: they are beaten if they go to somebody else’s territory, but the others also come to beat them in their own park. You can often see these children beg at traffic lights – the only place where they can operate.

Our role in the War of the Clans is to serve as peace forces. During the one hour and a half long meal there is a ceasefire and mutual understanding between the clans. They put aside their distinctions for a while, because there is one thing common to all of them: hunger.

During this time they all sit side by side and have their meal peacefully. After the meal they all scatter to their places.

This is a meaningful step in creating peace.
The kids are getting used to the idea that not all questions need to be resolved with fists...