My goal is to be honest with everyone. People ask, is it possible to support a family in Russia. Well here is a recent post of mine on the subject. You know, my family gave up everything to come to this land. The entire time we held American passports, meaning we could do what many who had the opportunity in the face of incredible hardship would have done (and have), leave. But no, we took up our cross, we suffered, cried, endured, because we wanted to be here. We didnt leave America poor & broken, but we may leave Russia in this state.
My wife has 2 chronic medical conditions, so living in a house without basic infrastructure after 2 years, facing a 3rd winter with 5 kids, was no longer feasible. It was this sacrifice of basic comfort that allowed us to live 2 years on savings. Nevertheless, our friends have helped us find better housing, after exhausting our savings, appealing to people in powerful positions to *no* avail. Some organization did get us an appointment at a local employment office where they recommended a job as a postman. Unfortunately I cannot feed 7, or meet the income requirements of our residency permit as a postman or I would have gladly taken it. Thank God for our Russian friends who had mercy on our family, for our neighbors, when no one else would. It was the widow who used her "mite" for those in need. We have improved our housing situation after living in the most harsh of conditions for two years. God knows. But I wrote this in a group recently in response to a post, and wanted to share it here. I will post a Russian translation later.
The reality for many educated Western immigrants, including ourselves, is that finding a job in Russia is exceptionally difficult. Employers are often hesitant to hire foreigners, the bureaucracy is daunting, and salaries offered are frequently insufficient to support a large family at a level that meets these subsistence minimums, especially in a city like Moscow.
Relying on savings—the "bank statement" option—is a temporary solution at best. The requirement is for 4 months of savings, but the process of establishing oneself, finding stable work, and building a career can take years. Our savings are not an infinite resource. We are seeing this pattern repeatedly: families deplete their life savings just to maintain their legal status, all while being unable to secure the long-term, stable employment .
We are not asking for an exception to the rules. We are pointing out that there is a systemic gap between Russia's desire for repatriation and western immigration, especially large families who will help the demographic crisis, and the actual economic infrastructure to support western immigrants with families. The current system seems designed for single individuals or those with independent wealth, not for professionals who wish to work, pay taxes, and build a life here.
The question we and many families, both those who have moved here, who are considering moving here: what specific programs, partnerships with employers, or support mechanisms exist beyond this initial financial requirement to help bridge this gap? How does the system intend to help qualified, willing families like ours transition from spending our savings to earning a stable, local income so that we can truly succeed and contribute in the long term? I feel like I am in a version of the Hunger games living out here in the "regions", appealing to people in the capital for an "air drop" or a sponsorship - some basic aid, we have asked for help again and again, and no one helps, people with power and influence even - just silence. But they are happy to get you in front of the cameras to help them. News flash, I have many children and gave up everything to be here, lived in the kind of conditions the first two years that most people only do on an international game show to win a million dollar prize - with five children because I knew how long we would need to stretch our savings, and that doesn't seem to matter at all to people who have the power to help. I will use a phrase I have learned out here: "Мы тоже люди." Thank God for regular Russians, citizens, our neighbors, the local Russian Church, without them our family would have never made it out here past the two year mark. Russia must ask itself, does it wish to be an Ark for families escaping the west, or a Charted Cruise Ship for the rich and famous only? Every nation rolls out the red carpet for the rich and famous who want to relocate, this impresses no one, God especially. The title of "Katechon" (for those who know), hangs in the balance, what will be done here is one of the things that will determine whether this title is re-acquired and the blessings and protection bestowed by God on it's bearer, along with it.
