Summer 2007
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The RBI Russian Ministry Program
Approved by The Education Committee of St. Petersburg, Russia.
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When teams of people from abroad come to work with the children of Russia, it is imperative for those with the responsibility of caring for the children to know clearly what is going to be offered by the Russian Ministry Program. I am committed to offering the following general program:
It is Better to Build a Child Well than to Have to Repair an Adult
I believe that all would agree that it is always better to build a child well than to have to repair an adult. Since August 1994, I have brought to Russia close to 3,000 volunteers (adults, young adults, teenagers) who come at their own expense to work, share and build friendships with the children.
We will be able to send teams during the months of June, July and August for the summer camps. These teams will average 10 American members and 5 Russian interpreters. The teams will be comprised of men and women: adults, young adults, and teenagers. The teams will live in the camp for two or three weeks at a time.
The teams of volunteers who come in the winter to work in the Children's homes will endeavor to come during January and again in March if we have enough volunteers. We will try to have 20 to 30 volunteers so that we can function as teams of 10 with 5 interpreters per team. Our desire is that each team spend 3-4 days in two different orphanages so that several homes have significant coverage.
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Affirm Christian Heritage
Knowing that Russia has a rich and deeply spiritual Christian heritage, we are committed to offering ourselves to help build bridges of friendship that will reinforce the heritage God, Himself, gave to Russia over one thousand years ago.
As the founder and leader of this organization, I am also an Anglican Priest. I have deep respect for the Russian Orthodox Church and the spiritual heritage of the nation of Russia.
We affirm that childhood is the best time for building strong moral and ethical character in a person. Our teams will share Bible stories and sing songs that will help to strengthen this spiritual heritage. Team members will be willing to take the time to really listen to the children's questions and talk about spiritual and ethical concerns that will help them make wise decisions in life.
The volunteers I bring to Russia will never force any religious decision upon any Russian child or adult. Our teams do not represent any sect. All team members are true Christians that believe the biblical, historical, orthodox Gospel and faith that the Church has always taught.
Our teams will focus on building real friendships and sharing with the children how faith in God has made a difference in their personal lives. We affirm that Jesus Christ is able to transform the life of anyone who trusts in Him.
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Cultural Exchange
I have provided extensive cross-cultural training for the teams of volunteers I bring to work with children in camps during the summer and in orphanages during the winter.
The teams I bring offer to the Camp Directors and Children's Home Directors cultural exchange through language, music, games, crafts, conversations, stories and the sharing of family histories. Our teams are also interested in learning about the cultural heritage of the Russian children through music, language, stories, and art forms, as well.
Our teams will share practical skills in English for the children, especially helping them to learn everyday phrases that we use often in conversations among friends. Our teams also welcome any help in practical skills in the Russian language with help in learning the everyday phrases that the children use in conversations with friends.
The lives of everyone are enriched by new the experiences that will help to develop a broader world-view.
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Humanitarian Aid and School Supplies
Since my organization works in coordination with various humanitarian aid organizations, the teams bring in extra medical supplies such as Tylenol, antibacterial and anti-fungal creams, cough medicine, vitamins, and children's antibiotics.
We will give these items to the Camp Directors and Orphanage Directors for use by the camp and orphanage doctors for the treating the children that are taking rest in the camp. Our teams also bring toothpaste and toothbrushes which will be given to the Camp and Orphanage Directors to distribute to the children.
We will also do our best to provide school supplies, clothes, and other needed items for each orphanage we visit.
Support Physical Training and Development
Our teams bring in various types of sporting equipment such as soccer balls, basketballs, and volleyballs. Our teams leave this equipment with the Directors of the camps and orphanages to support the physical training part of the children.
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Medical and Dental Care
We are committed to trying to bring medical personnel both in the summer and in the winter to be able to share as colleagues with the doctors in the camps and orphanages. We will work with you to arrange for dentists, Doctors, medical specialist and other support people to come from America during the year and work with those who are committed to working with orphans, disabled children and others in need. We will cooperate with medical officials in the government of St. Petersburg to bring in these volunteer medical specialists to share new techniques and the use of new medicines with their Russian colleagues.
I have personally mobilized teams of certified, licensed dentists from the United States to come the Zelenogorsk area of Russia since the summer of 1998.
The dentists and their assistants are available to the Directors for a "Dental Education Day" or for any requested general examination of children from which will be given suggestions for any further treatment that might be needed. We will also bring dentists to help with disabled children’s homes during our winter trips.
These dentists will be offering their time and skills free of charge, simply giving out of love for the children.
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Build Bridges of Friendship
Understanding the deep needs of elderly pensioners in the St. Petersburg region we will bring teams of older adults to share in conversation and in fellowship with pensioners in day-facilities. We wish to develop friendships and build bridges of fellowship between Russian and American older adults. This can only strengthen the hearts of both nations.
Our teams will bring board games that can be enjoyed in group settings at the pensioner day-facilities. They will also bring resources to help provide assistance in obtaining winter coats and boots for those they visit. The teams will give a special “tea” for the regular pensioners who come to the facilities that will be visited. The teams will also help to provide medicinal help while they are there.
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We appreciate any assistance that you may be able to provide to help make it possible to bring this aid that is directly distributed to each orphanage.
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