Against all odds: a journey from a Russian orphanage to the bright lights

There are nearly 300,000 children in Russia who grow up in orphanages; their prospects for success in life is not very encouraging. According to the Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science, just one out of fifteen orphans will go on to become successful adults, while an overwhelming majority of the orphan population eventually gets hooked on drugs, goes to prison or even goes so far as to commit suicide.

"A child which grows up in an orphanage develops a basic distrust towards the adult world. They have been abandoned by the most important adults in their life – by their parents. And then they have to live with this feeling for the rest of their lives," explains Alexander Kolmanovsky, psychologist.

No wonder, children in orphanages have to face their own specific problems.

"We can't force the child to work. We must convince him that he must work. Unless he learns to work, he will fail to cook, launder or to do any small thing. A child has to be convinced, although this does not always succeed," says Irina Sidorova, Head of Karabanovo orphanage.

However, in Maksim Dementiev’s case his orphanage experience was an experience that helped him to become a better actor.

"Compared to children with families, I can see more clearly how to get out from this or that situation. My view of the world is totally different. That's what helps.  If not for the orphanage, I don't know where I would be now," says Maksim Dementiev.

Maksim himself contributes his success to a strong personal work ethic. Now he hopes to help his brother Alexander, also an orphan who seems desperate to follow into his brother’s footsteps.

"My brother is a great authority in my life, a good example – he finished his secondary school here and entered a prestigious higher education school. I will also try to do the same," says Alexander Dementiev, Maksim’s brother.

"What's important is not to fall into the abyss that has ruined the lives of many people, even famous people, and not to abandon the good path. Believe that it's going to be good, set a goal and reach for it."

This is Maksim’s inspirational message for all orphan children strong enough to rise up and defy the odds.

RT