II. Saint Petersburg: For Whom Does "Zabota" Care?
III. Round Table October 15 on Problems of the Environment in the Federation of Peace and Accord
I. The Family Sports Club for Persons with Disabilities "Valid" is Conducting a Program of Social Adaptation for Persons with Disabilities
One of the indicators of level of civilization in a society is its relationship to persons with disabilities. Until recently this category of persons was practically excluded from normal life. According to statistics, the number of persons with disabilities in our country is around 15 million people. Every year 800-900 thousand persons become disabled, 25% of whom are young people of working age. Physical culture and sport can be effective methods of rehabilitation and social adaptation for this group.
The Family Sports Club "Valid" was formed at the beginning of 1996 by the Russian State Academy of Physical Culture (RGAFK) with the goal of organizing the social adaptation of persons with disabilities living in families and realizing the task of integrating them into society through participation in the physical culture and sports movement. Gymnasiums and swimming pools are made available for group activities at times convenient for persons with disabilities. The activities are led by highly qualified trainers and instructors from the sports staff of RGAFK and physical therapy graduate students. The author of the program and materials on methodology for the activities is senior instructor of the rehabilitation staff, chairperson of the administration of "Valid," candidate in pedagogical sciences N. O. Rubtsova. In addition to physical culture and sports activities, the members of the club may participate in various circles and meet with friends for evenings of relaxation.
The basic task of the club, which is unique in the Moscow region, is the creation of conditions for discussions and mutual activity by various categories of people with disabilities and members of their families.
All are welcome to join the club.
Contact telephone: 166-4954; 166-3874
II. Saint Petersburg: For Whom Does "Zabota" Care?
What does an elderly, lonely person need? First of all attention and care. The state pays him a pension which for most is enough only for modest food and public utilities. That's all. Even elderly persons with families often find themselves left to the whims of fate. There is no one to prepare their meals, to help with bathing, to perform basic housekeeping, to take them on a walk or simply to talk with them about their lives.
The cooperative "Zabota" was formed nine years ago somehow to correct this situation. (At that time a cooperative was the only type of non-governmental organization. There were no laws authorizing the creation of charitable foundations and organizations). From the beginning the cooperative's purpose was to subsidize access to services for those in need at minimal cost, and profits were never in the plan.
After the opening of the cooperative and the airing of radio commercials clients quickly appeared. But time passed. The economic situation of sick elderly people worsened to the point that it became impossible to pay for services for them. Then "Zabota" turned to its own network, to charitable organizations supported by contributions and has been working this way for 5 years. Transforming the cooperative into a new legal form has been difficult for a number of reasons.
Today elderly people and people with disabilities receive free support in the form of home visits and humanitarian help. They know that twice a week a friendly woman will visit them and do whatever is necessary (the visits occur twice a week for 2 hours). The person making the visits decides herself how many clients she can assist. 25 people now work in the cooperative. The workers of "Zabota" regularly visit around 60 people, and 300 people receive humanitarian assistance in the form of fruits and vegetables.
"Zabota" has the idea of opening a private home shelters for aged with daily care and church guardianships. Help from sponsors is needed to realize this idea. "Zabota" will be grateful to all who will and can support or work with it. It will gladly share its experience and the results of its work, and will make use of your advice.
Contact telephone: (812) 355-9362 ( from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
III. Round Table October 15 on Problems of the Environment in the Federation of Peace and Accord
The organizers of the activity are "FMS," The Parliamentary School, and the Humanitarian Institute.
Within the program "Youth-- the Spirituality of the 21st Century" there will be a round table meeting of students of Moscow's institutions of higher education and scholars working on environmental problems.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at: Prospekt Mira, D. 36.
Contact telephone: 280-7182.
IV. Conference October 21 to October 23 in St. Petersburg on "Renaissance of the Tradition of Women's Education in St. Petersburg."
The program of the conference will be women's education in Russia and abroad; psychological-pedagogical problems of women's education; common approaches, problems of continuing education of women and problems of the formation of a women's elite.
Leading scholars and specialists on problems of the theory and practice of women's education from St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other Russian cities, directors of the administration of education, and teachers/practitioners will take part. The conference was organized by the Committee on Social Questions of the St. Petersburg administration, the St. Petersburg State Pedagogical Trade University, women's High School No. 628 of St. Petersburg, the all-Russian movement "Education is the Future of Russia," and the A. P. Filososofova women's humanitarian college.
Contact telephone: (812) 242-0076 (Galina Anatol'evna Fortunatova, coordinator).
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