 |
|
|
|
How to Make Monatary Donations to Help Russian Orphanages If you wish to support local independent Russian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) who are providing direct care/training of care-givers/ public education/ legal advocacy for abandoned and disabled children, you may get in touch with any of these groups. To ensure the most efficient transfer of currency to these organizations, it is advisable to contact them first by fax or e-mail to let them know that you intend to send a donation and find out exactly how you can do it. Down Syndrome Association of Russia President: Sergei Koloskov The Russian Down Syndrome Association (DSA) was formed by parents of children born with Down Syndrome and works in partnership with the International Catholic Child Bureau (office in Paris, France). DSA performs a variety of activities, including running an innovative care program for a group of more than 100 children formerly consigned to closed "internats" for those who are diagnosed as "imbetsils" or "idiots." That program provides direct care as well as training for staff of an institution where the children have been transferred. In addition, the DSA has compiled and translated into Russian a great deal of international literature on education and social needs of children with disabilities. It works closely with the ministries of education and labor to introduce such training materials as well as general information in schools and orphanages to encourage alternatives to institutionalization for disabled children. Checks in US dollars for the DSA should be sent to its partner organization in Paris---International Catholic Child Bureau (in French, B.I.C.E.) Write on the check "for the Down Syndrome Association," and make it out to B.I.C.E. Mail to the following address: Secretariat du BICE-France Our Family Project Director: Maria Ternovskaya "Our Family Project" is developing a model foster care program as an alternative to the large state-run institutions. It is jointly supported by the Education Committee of the City of Moscow, and by an international non-governmental organization (NGO) called Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which conducted an important investigation into Russian orphanages in the early 1990s. You may wire money through your bank or a large commercial bank that does international transfers. You will need the following information: Name of Bank/address that should receive your funds: Account Number (for US dollars): 40703840400700627004 NOTE: Bank officials in Moscow stress that donors should send a note with the wire stating that the transfer is "a charitable donation to a charitable organization, and not subject to obligatory sale." This should allow the charitable organization to maintain the funds in dollars until the time of withdrawal. Center for Curative Pedagogics Director: Anna L. Bitova The Center for Curative Pedagogics is an independent, non-governmental center where disabled children receive various forms of therapy. This center gives families who want to raise their disabled children a day care alternative to institutionalization. The center has a waiting list of families. You may wire funds as described above. You will need to use the following information: Destination Bank: Credit Moscow Bank Number of account at Credit Moscow Bank: 40703840400010000083 Rights of the Child Director: Boris Altshuler Rights of the Child is the leading independent local NGO that advocates for human rights protection of children across a broad range of issues. It investigates and reports on cases of abuse and neglect of children in state institutions; participates actively in legislative reform; lobbies the branches of Russian government to open its orphanages, juvenile penitentiaries and the like to independent scrutiny and evaluation; testifies in United Nations fora. In addition to its human rights advocacy work, Rights of the Child also periodically provides material assistance to children in extreme circumstances when resources permit. You may wire funds to their account in Moscow, and will need to use the following information: Bank name and address in Moscow: NOTE: At the time of the transfer, it is necessary to send a letter to Rights of the Child confirming the transfer. The fax numbers are listed above. The letter should be signed by the individual or organization named in the wire transfer, and should confirm the amount transferred. It should also state that this is a "charitable contribution to the Moscow Research Center for Human Rights, in favor of 'Rights of the Child' program. In order to receive the funds, the bookkeeper must present this letter to the bank. Come and Help (St. Petersburg) Director: Alexander Rodin Come and Help is one of the earliest independent efforts to help children in Russian orphanages as well as children in correctional settings. Mr. Rodin has worked on behalf of children labeled severely disabled, and also provides legal assistance and advocacy for children seeking redress for abuse in their state institutions. To obtain instructions on how to send a donation, please e-mail Mr. Rodin directly. Love's Bridge P.O. Box 95 Love's Bridge is a small team of international and Russian volunteers who have been raising donations, distributing material assistance, and providing direct care and recreational programs for children in orphanages, baby homes and children's detention centers in Moscow and the surrounding regions. They have been active in Russia since 1995. For specific information about how to send donations, it is best to e-mail them at the above address. Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) 110 Maryland Avenue, NE Director: Eric Rosenthal MDRI is an advocacy organization dedicated to the international recognition and enforcement of the rights of people with mental disabilities. In Russia, MDRI supports training of human rights advocates, family advocates and self-advocates in the field of disability, and collaborates with the Down Syndrome Association of Russia. Checks can be sent to the address above. The Children's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor Director: Lois Whitman, Esq. The Children's Rights Division was established in 1994 as a division of Human Rights Watch, and is the leading international nongovernmental organization expressly monitoring and protecting the rights of children throughout the world. The Children's Rights Division has published reports on violations in state orphanages, child labor and slavery, children's prisons, street children, and is leading an international campaign to end the use of child soldiers. Donations for our continuing efforts on behalf of children in Russian orphanages should be clearly marked for the "Children's Rights Division," and sent to the attention of Ms. Lois Whitman at the address above. Home |
