The Tomsk Alumni Association of American Programs
is an Official Regional Representative of Association "Professionals for Cooperation"
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The Program "Starfish" has begun Work in Tomsk | ||
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On the 12th of September the Tomsk Alumni Association of American Programs hosted Rebecca Swanson - the chief of an American computer firm. Becky flew to Tomsk together with her husband and small son. The aim of trip of this American business-woman is to help orphans in the Tomsk Region. During her 10-day visit Ms. Swanson visited a number of nursing homes for children and orphanages. A choice of American philanthropists is the Tomsk Region and it's easy to explain why. As a matter of fact, for some years Rebecca Swanson has read articles and watched TV programs about Russian orphans and welfare foundations in Russia. She disclosed that almost all aid is concentrated in the European Russia especially Moscow. It was necessary to direct attention to the Russian hinterland. One year ago Ms. Swanson connected with the Tomsk Alumni Association of American Programs. She is much interested in the orphans here and wishes very much to present something to the babies. In the beginning of 2001, humanitarian aid was given to the residents of nursing homes for the children, who live in the remote parts of the Tomsk Region. There were socks. Tomsk is one among 3 Russian cities, where the American project "Regional Initiative" is realized. And this fact went a long way toward the choice of a district for Becky's project. Rebecca looks at her program "Starfish" as a part of this big project. The program to aid orphans, called "Starfish", started developing about 3 years ago. The main idea of the program is monitoring the destiny of an abandoned child from his birth to his leaving the institution and to help him at every turn of his/her life. To make babies sense that they have a person, who cares for them and loves them. To help children to achieve self-reliance and adapt in modern society… In this connection it is planned to develop scholarships for the older children, to help with seeking a job, to pay for a dormitory… That is to say the program has the goal developing a person, who can find a place for him/herself in the world, and who will not be a dependant, who is used to living on welfare. Every abandoned child must have a "kin" person. For this reason it is planned to employ volunteers, who are pensioners to work part time. Then every child will have his/her own grandmother. In addition, in maternity-homes every baby will get humanitarian aid, which will consist of some medicine, food and clothes. Some money will be paid for the treatment of sick children. A financial aid foundation will be sought to develop the talent of the youth. A person from the distant shore is going to try to take care of abandoned Siberian children. Even with the events, which had taken place in America (Becky came to Moscow the same day that America was attacked), Ms. Swanson has no intention to change her ideas and considers that her visit to Tomsk is only the beginning of a big project. And it is a really good intention. |
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