THE ROLE OF NOVOSIBIRSK ORPHANAGE STAFF IN MAINTAINING CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONS DURING THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

Abstract

This article examines the work of orphanage staff in Novosibirsk during the Great Patriotic War (1941—1945), addressing a significant gap in historical scholarship regarding the contribution of childcare professionals in maintaining children's institutions in rear areas during and after the war. The study analyzes key aspects of staff activities, highlighting the unique challenges of their work and assessing their role in addressing wartime orphanhood and child welfare issues. The research explores organizational challenges, solutions to social and domestic problems, and the crucial role of orphanage staff in rehabilitating war-affected children. The mass evacuation of children from frontline areas to Novosibirsk, including many orphans, necessitated the rapid establishment of new orphanages. Staff faced the monumental task of building these institutions from the ground up: assembling teams, creating organizational structures, and securing basic necessities like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. These efforts occurred amid severe shortages of qualified personnel, requiring staff to possess multidisciplinary expertise in pedagogy, medicine, and psychology to care for traumatized children needing special attention. Novosibirsk's wartime orphanage workers formed a diverse group whose collective dedication enabled the care and education of children under extreme conditions. Their professionalism and tireless efforts allowed for the rapid expansion of institutional networks that accommodated thousands of evacuated children, establishing foundations for their postwar upbringing. This historical investigation provides valuable insights into regional social history and the broader experience of childhood in the USSR. The findings significantly enhance our understanding of social work development in Novosibirsk and its critical role in protecting children during national crises