In Russia, disabled people have traditionally been isolated from society. Children face daily discrimination as well as physical barriers to education, medical support, recreational activities, family life and participation in community life. In orphanages, at the age of 4 children are assessed and classified as normal or oligophrenic. Some are further classified as imbecile or idiot and are deemed ineducable.This diagnosis stays with them for life and they are denied basic human rights.

ThePromise will deliver Portage to the severely disabled children in the orphanage. The project will show how so called ineducable children will develop if they are given one-to-one interaction, human touch, love and access to stimulating toys – all vital to healthy emotional and physical development. Changing the attitudes of those working with disabled children is as important as improving the lives of the children themselves.