Building community in Karelia

Building community is a theme that runs right through our work.  We are not content simply to give aid to those in need.  We want to help the vulnerable find their place in society, and support local people who wish to help those around them, whether as volunteers, professionals or on an informal basis.  This approach is badly needed in poor, provincial towns and rural areas where heavy drinking affects so much of life.

Kondopoga parish

We have been priveleged to work for many years with a remarkable Orthodox parish in Kondopoga, Karelia.  Since the rebirth of the parish in 1991, the parish priest, Father Lev, his wife, Mother Julia, and their many helpers have had a profound influence on the town.  A generation of children have grown up as part of a loving, creative community.  Many have gone on to volunteer within the town.  Over 400 homeless people have been brought back into the community.

Reaching further into Karelia

The Kondopoga community has also inspired charitable work in nearby towns and villages, sometimes church-based, and sometimes entirely secular.  In both cases, aid is offered regardless of religious faith.

One of our greatest successes was renovating a community centre in the small settlement of Girvas.  This is now a hub for sports activities, dance classes, choirs and celebrations for Girvas and surrounding villages.  What is more, the community charity we set up to administer our small grants, is now successfully fundraising locally to further improve facilities for their community.

Find out more . . .

Kondopoga parish	Feeding street children	Children's camps	Girvas forestry club

Click here for map of Karelia showing where we work