The Prince A.D. Obolensky School for Special Children was established in 1964 on the grounds of the “Berezichi” Estate, the ancestral home of the Obolensky family since the 14th century.

The school is presently home to 80 children, ages 6-16. Most are wards of the State and come from the local area. They are mentally handicapped, autistic, or have suffered emotional abuse stemming from domestic violence and other socio economic problems. The school is the only safe and nurturing environment most of these children have ever known. Over 500 children have “graduated” from Berezichi and many have gone on to lead full and productive lives.

The school is located on the grounds of the Ugra National Park which was granted biosphere reserve status by UNESCO in 2002.