Housing Hardships Compound Burdens for Russian Family

The Chernyshov family expected 1995 to be a landmark year. For 10 years, Alexander, Galina and their children had planned and saved to build a new house. They planted a large garden each spring and grew vegetables, potatoes and berries to minimize the expense of store-bought food. They saved as much of their income as possible, even after Galina lost her job as an accountant. Galina and Alexander constructed their house themselves and took pride in the windows, which family members had hand-carved and decorated. They were planning a house-warming party to celebrate their accomplishment.

But before they could hold the party, there was a short-circuit in the wiring, and the house caught on fire. Unable to live in the damaged new house, the family stayed in their old house two more years before it, too, needed extensive repairs. In 1997, Alexander, Galina and their children repaired their 60-square-foot bathhouse, which they already paid for, and moved in. Their water pump works in the summer, but they must haul water from a different pump 300 meters from the house in the winter. Alexander, a professional driver, sends money home from the neighboring town where he works and lives with other drivers in a small house. Though the town he lives in is not far away, he visits his family only every few months to save money on transportation.

Alexander and Galina have put off rebuilding their house until the children have finished their studies. Elena is studying at a technical university to be a construction worker; Oksana has finished high school and dreams of opening her own travel agency; and Vladimir and Oksana dance and sing in a folk-dance group.

Editor's note: Russia was approved as an official Habitat country at the November 2002 meeting of Habitat's international board of directors. As yet, this family has not been selected for a Habitat house. However, their income level and need for adequate housing position them for a possible Habitat partnership.

--Reported by Leanne McElroy