On Feb. 13, 1999, 22 Midwesterners began an eight-day trek through the orphanages of Russia, grim places filled to overflowing with children called ``social orphans'' -- kids who have parents who simply can't afford to feed them as their nation's economy collapses.
Eighteen of the 22 were ``ordinary'' people rendered extraordinary by the curiosity, concern and compassion that fueled the trip. The remaining four were journalists, a photographer and a reporter from The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus, sister newspapers published in the Quad-Cities area of Iowa and Illinois; and a photographer and a reporter from News Channel 8 in Moline, Ill.
The report on the trip was presented by the newspapers and television station March 7-March 12. This site includes the stories and photos from The Dispatch/Argus and the video from Channel 8. There also are additional photos and links to organizations and people working to bring hope to thousands of children living without it.
