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Nativity Inn
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History
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Russian Statistics.
The Bolshevik Revolution occurred in 1917 in Russia, and by 1920, Russia had one of the most progressive
abortion laws in the world. Readily available to the population, abortions were performed in state hospitals at no cost. Stalin,
wanting to increase the birth rate to provide more workers for the country, outlawed abortions in 1936. The result was
high infant and women fatality rates. To reverse this trend and keep women in the work force, abortion was re-legalized
in November, 1955.
By 1987, three years before the collapse of the Soviet Union, 60% of all pregnancies ended in abortions.
The first official abortion statistics came out of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, putting the number
of annual abortions between 6 -7 million. By 1992, approximately 224.6 abortions were performed
for 100 live births.
More recent statistics indicate Russians continue to have more abortions than births. Last year 1.6
million women terminated a pregnancy while approximately 1.5 million gave birth. Vladimir Kulakov, vice president of
the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow stated recently, "many more" abortions were not reported.
The risk for children does not end here. Out of every 1,000 Russian newborns, more than 12 die before
they reach their first birthday. This is the Russian system as it exists today.
Magadan.
Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning 11 times zones and almost half way around the world.
Siberia is in the eastern most portion of what was once the Soviet Union. Magadan, a closed city during Soviet times, is
located within the expanse of Siberia.
During Soviet times the name "Magadan" was to its citizens like "Auschwitz" was to Jews during and
after World War II. Located in eastern Siberia, Magadan was the site of the Soviet "gulag" system. In the tens
of thousands, political as well as other prisoners were invountarily transported to the port at Magadan from which they
forced to work in the gold mines in the Kolyma region. Millions died over the decades from harsh treatment, starvation,
and the severe physical environment. Even after approximately sixteen years subsequent to the break-up of the Soviet
Union it is impossible to know how many human bodies are buried under Soviet labor projects. The prisoners were buried
where they fell, falling from exhaustion, starvation, frostbite, and disease. Largely, those who live in Magadan today
are descendants from the survivors of the gulag system or those whose ancestors worked in them.
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After the Breakup of the Soviet Union.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, two Catholic priests went to Magadan to establish a Catholic
presence, initially presiding at Mass in a rented apartment. Finally, in 2001, they celebrated Mass in the
newly constructed Church of the Nativity.
While living conditions in Magadan and its surrounding areas have always been difficult, the economic realities
of the Soviet breakup have hit the people of Magadan and eastern Siberia extremely hard. Despite economic progress in
some areas of Russia today, the ensuing hyperinflation and econoinc contraction after the collapse of the Soviet Union wiped
out savings and incomes and discouraged couples from having children. Kulakov acknowledged, "The appearance of
a first child pushes many families into poverty." The effect is devastating on families, with husband electing
to abandon families and families ill-equipped to afford shelter and absorb the added expense of a baby.
The abortion rates continue to outpace births and families or single mothers with children continue
to live with significant poverty, especially in areas far removed geographically from the capital of Moscow. For this
and other reasons, many expectant parents opt for abortions due to the economic realities of their lives.
Nativity Inn.
Now, it is possible to help these families, mothers and babies. We need to save the babies. Believing
that all human life is sacred, the Church has now founded Nativity Inn.
Nativity Inn is a safe location for any expectant mother where she will receive help with food, medicine,
shelter, and clothing during her pregnancy and after the baby's birth. Families come to Nativity Inn not knowing
how they can possibly support another family member. Expectant single mothers come to Nativity Inn feeling
abandoned, scared, and broken-hearted. They all come not realizing their greatest burden is their greatest
gift.
Nativity Inn plans are to offer two levels of assistance:
(1) Residential care: The Church
of the Nativity has purchased and furnished Nativity Inn - Ola where expecting and new mothers and
their babies are living while they get help to establish independent housing. Nativity Inn - Ola is safe housing
for ladies who do not have the resources to continue their pregnancies or shelter after they give birth.
Nativity Inn's goal is to provide an option to abortion. In exchange, Nativity Inn asks very little of the women. They are asked to continue their education,
keep their medical appointments, remain sober and drug-free, and if their health permits, to contribute to the housekeeping
duties. Nativity Inn puts the ladies in contact with those who can provide either education or job skills and government
assistance for housing. Nativity Inn also provides food, transportation to medical appointments, material needs
during their pregnancies or after birth, and parenting skills as well as paying the utility bills and all expenses on the
apartment.
(2) Out Of Residence Care: Not all expectant
or new mothers require residential care. In these cases Nativity Inn provides assistance in a variety of forms
as needed such as maternity clothes, baby food, medicine, baby clothes, blankets,
strollers, and financial assistance so that the mothers will continue their pregnancies and be able to care for
them after birth.
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