To Russia with Love

1999, 48 minutes, TV3

This is the story of how Irish housewife Debbie Deegan who fought tooth-and-nail to re-unite two young Russian orphan pals. Mother of two Debbie admitted that she and her husband Mick had cried in bed almost every night, after they split up two best friends, orphans Zina and Valya, when they adopted Zina. As they separated the friends Debbie took it upon herself to travel to the remote Russian orphanage and examine Valya’s living conditions. There she found disgusting, unhealthy surroundings and children who were utterly uncared for. Debbie made a promise to heartbroken Valya ‘“I’ll be back”.

So together with other women in the north Dublin suburb or Clontarf they started an organisation, To Russia with Love to improve the living conditions of 140 Russian orphaned children. Debbie Deegan is an outspoken, upfront woman with a big heart. Exactly the type of person needed for this kind of job. Around the orphanage, she is a pied piper for children, dispensing hugs and proving there is hope for even the most damaged. This documentary is the tale of a long battle with bureaucracy and a good deal of emotional upset and joy along the way for everyone involved.

Credits

Executive Producers – Martha O’Neill and Teresa McGrane

Editor – Brenda Morrissey

Producer – Adrian McCarthy

Director – Louise Wadley

Radharc Awards 2000, Highly Commended

This is an extraordinary tale of heartbreaking choices that had to be made and the difference that one determined person can make.

Irish Independent

This woman’s efforts to adopt a couple of the most damaged children from a Russian Orphanage made for an hour of touching entertaining television.

Irish Times

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