In these days of New Year and Christmas festivities there is a tradition to remember children in need. It is a topical issue in Russia, where there are around 330,000 young orphans.

Many of these children were abandoned at birth, while others fled abusive or difficult families.

A large proportion of them live in children’s homes, but later find it difficult to deal with the challenges of adulthood.

Only small amount of charity organisations try to change this in a way that could revolutionise childcare in Russia.

“Children are protected in the orphanage – they are fed, they are clothed, they are housed; but after that nothing happens and this is our mission to help these kids leave the orphanage with some skills,” said Helena Mazina from “Kidlinks” charity organisation.

Helena Mazina is a member of a team whose goal is to prepare young people for independence.

It goes without saying that the team relies on mentors and foreign companies willing to lend support.

From their part, a large proportion of multinational companies help charities as an important part of their marketing strategy, but in Russia as a whole it is not common practice for companies to support charities.

That is why “Kidlinks” and other organisations like this are still desperate for support.

In Russia these organisations are pioneers which hope to turn their approach to social care in the country into common practice.