We’re raising 22 children in the coldest city in the world – we have to melt ice every morning just to be able to drink
RAISING a large family can be difficult at the best of times but one couple is facing the challenge while living in the coldest city in the world.
From melting ice every morning for drinking water to ensuring their little ones have enough layers to prevent frostbite during their five minute walk to school, the family has their hands full.
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Aleksandr and Oksana Pavlov spoke to YouTuber Kiun B about their lives raising 22 children in the world’s coldest city.
The family are located in the suburbs of Yakutsk in east Siberia, where they have no access to central water supply.
Instead, Aleksandr, a former engineer, gets up early morning to “harvest” ice, chopping it and melting it for use around the home.
And the water goes to good use as their water reserves are used not only for drinking but also in the family’s bathroom, which sees a long queue each morning.
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The Pavlov’s have a total of 22 children, with 18 of them being adopted.
“In May 2003, we initially adopted three children, later on, after several years, we found ourselves adopting a total of 18 children,” Aleksandr explained.
“Currently we are raising 10 kids, eight of them have already grown up and are living separately.
“They have started their own families. But they often come to visit us.”
The ages of their children range from six-years-old to 37-years-old.
Currently living at home are Egorov, David, 25, Yuliya, 22, Sasha, 19, Vova, 17, Archilaana, 14, Lyonya, 13, Algystaana, 12, Kolya, 11, Ruslan, 10, Zhanna, nine, Ramina, nine, and Nastaya and Sophia, who are both six.
“We are blessed to have such a large and loving family,” said Oksana, who has been with her husband for 30 years.
As a teacher, she felt a natural draw towards children and wanted to open her home to as many as possible.
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As their kitchen table doesn’t fit them all at once, the family has taken to dining in groups, divided by age.
Government expenses help pay for the children’s food and clothing, with their parents highlighting the importance of warm layers on the younger kids.
Even though the Pavlov’s chose a home just a five minute walk from the local nursery and school, it is still a dangerous venture for the young children.
The older kids walk with them every morning, ensuring they get safely inside to their classes.
Yakutsk’s temperatures can plummet to -60 degrees Celsius, with the primary school remaining closed once it drops below -45 degrees Celsius.
Where is the coldest city in the world?
Yakutsk in east Siberia experiences the coldest temperatures out of all major cities on earth.
It has a population of around 336,200 people, many of whom work in the city’s diamond mine.
The city’s temperatures have often dropped to – 64 degrees Celsius.
This meant that some of the kids were able to enjoy a day at home, helping their father with shovelling and enjoying time sledding outside.
Once the cold became too much to bear, they went inside to play in the indoor gym Aleksandr built for them to ensure they stayed fit despite their limited time outdoors.
The older children in the family have proven to be successful athletes in a variety of sports including skiing, boxing, and archery.
And while the young kids play, the older ones catch a bus to the local university.
However, they must be careful to time it correctly as any extra minutes outside can lead to increased risk of frostbite.
Thankfully, their bus came along, coloured red to ensure optimal visibility in thick fog.
“Growing up in the world’s coldest city, I believe it makes
us stronger,” Aleksander said.
“I believe the cold weather makes us resilient and hard
working.”
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“The kids are always eager to help out, they help us in
harvesting ice and chopping wood,” Oksana added.
Every night, she prepares dinner for their brood, including a hot soup which is a traditional daily dish in the region.
Aleksandr pitched in by cooking the meat in his outdoor stove, giving it an “icey taste.”
However, fruit and vegetables are not as easy to come by given the impossible growing conditions in the surrounding area.
The family instead enjoy frozen berries, which they use to make homemade jam.
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And while certain produce may be expensive, their household bills are not.
The family uses two gas boilers to keep their 3,800 square-foot home at a warm 25-degrees Celsius year round, costing them just £157 each month.