TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE: CREATING A SPIRIT OF SERVICE ABOVE SELF ONE CHILD AT A TIME

Traveled to Kambarka in September Met with the Kambarka Rotary, the mayor, teachers, administrators and students at Public School #2 and at a school for children with disabilities. Six Rotary clubs are raising funds and providing oversight for creation of the school which will start operations in 2011 Students will also learn the value of community service and participate in community service projects administered by the Kambarka Rotary. 2

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Kambarka is in Udmurtia, east of Moscow The town was the site of a chemical weapons manufacturing facility during the Cold War. A disposal facility was funded by Germany and is now destroying the substances produced there English is taught in public schools, but instruction is basic and disabled children have no access to this instruction. Students are taught in separate facilities or at home 7

The school will start with 10 students and grow to English will be the primary language and German will also be offered Community service will be emphasized, bringing together disabled and “mainstream” students Community service will include making the school accessible for disabled students (ramps, restrooms, etc). 8

Students are expected to stay in the program at least 4 years. They will then take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Program will emphasize both solid grammar and speaking skills Class participation, digital language labs and Internet based instruction will be required Improved college admissions rates are expected 9

Kambarka Rotarians believe that community service and integration of disabled students with others is important Rotarians will work with city administration to design appropriate community service projects that all can participate in An important goal is to teach students to be better citizens and contribute to the growth and improvement of their community 10

Funds will be used for: Creating a nonprofit organization to own the school Teacher training and salaries Language training equipment and software Desks, chairs, teaching aids, service projects Stipend and travel cost of an experienced EFL teacher to help set up the program Project oversight 11

Rotarians will work with the National Association of Teachers of English in Russia A nongovernmental organization in Moscow called “Globus” that serves disabled children will help optimize program design Grants to sustain the school after first year of operation will be sought from USAID, Rotary clubs in Moscow, Sweden and others 12

In 2009, Club 25 approved $3,000 to cover travel costs, a stipend and other costs to send a teacher to Kambarka to develop the language and service learning curriculum. Miriam O’Brien, a language teacher from Marshall School, went to Kambarka in late She met with teachers and Rotarians to develop the project concept. 13

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Club 25, Skyline, Harbortown, Ft. William and Port Arthur Rotary clubs have contributed $13,700 Kambarka Rotary has pledged $2,500 in cash and gifts in kind Rotarians in Minnesota, Utah and Washington, DC have contributed $5,300 16

District 5580, through its District Designated Fund program, has funded $30,750 DDF funds comply with Rotary Foundation rules Thanks to Rotarians Herb Schmidt (District Grants Subcommittee chair), Jon Helstrom, Ken Schoen, Russ Salgy, Keith Kylmala, Earl Rogers, Tania McVean and Tricia Bunten for supporting this grant application 17

Funds Synopsis $50,350 pledged or received (not including gifts in kind pledges of $2,000) $62,300 total cash needed for startup and first year operations $11,950 needed in Rotary year

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(Посвящается Роберту Шерману и другим членам Ротари–клуба города Дулут, штат Миннесота США). Кружится уже много лет И на четыре части разделен наш Свет. Мир такой огромный, замечательный, Исследовать его мне очень увлекательно! Многое в жизни есть, что мне неизвестно, Все это так удивительно, так интересно! Америки неведомые дали Манят меня чудесными мечтами. Может быть, когда-нибудь я побываю там, Ведь у нас дано свершаться чудесам! Мгновенья радости и счастья в сердце сохраню, Улыбку Миру подарю… Спасибо вам за этот шанс! От всей души благодарю! 21

This poem is devoted to the members of the Rotary Clubs of Duluth, Minnesota, USA. Round and round the world goes on, So many countries to visit them all. It’s a huge and remarkable place, I can research every continent’s face. So many new and unusual habits Very surprising that each has its merit, America’s beauty, the country of dreaming Attracts me today and I can’t help believing That one day while traveling around in my dreams, I’ll find myself there - the wonder begins! I am so grateful to you for the chance Miracles happen sometimes – smile and dance! 22

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