St Gregory's Foundation

Saturday club

Every Saturday during school terms parish house is filled with children. Between 60 and 70 children of all ages come to take part in art, music, drama, archaeology carpentry and sewing classes. Parish house has indoor and outdoor play spaces for the children, giving them a chance to let off steam. This is particularly necessary since so many live in tiny flats. Half an hour of non-compulsory discussion on religious themes is also offered, but the children do not have to be church-goers to participate in any of the activities. Most indeed are not from church-going families and the group includes several Muslim children. SGF funds art and craft materials for the club.

Children's parties

Every Christmas, Easter and Mardi Gras the parish holds a party for local children. Around 150 children usually attend. SGF pays for small presents for the children, which are usually made by members of the Saturday club. During the year groups of disabled children are also invited to parish house for smaller parties.

Summer and winter camps

Thanks to the parish, the Saturday club children get the chance to go on holiday each summer and winter. Camps are organised at the parish "dacha" or holiday centre, a purpose built wooden house (built with donations from SGF) by the most beautiful lake not far from Kondopoga. The first winter camp at the dacha should take place in January 2009 when the insulation and heating have been completed. Friends of Kondopoga have also raised money for skis and a small boat for use during the camps.

In summer 2008 for the first time the teenagers will have a joint camp with young members of the local Muslim community, and with the St Basil's youth group from St Petersburg, and a group of African students also from St Petersburg. The aim is to break down barriers between the communities and combat racism in a practical way. This is particularly important since Kondopoga was the scene of riots during which the Chechen community were particularly targetted.

The camps offer more than a holiday. The weeks spent together is vital for strengthening the children's friendships and allowing them to immerse themselves in a positive culture, full of care and fun activities, so that they can imagine an alternative to the alcohol-centred lifestyle of many of their parents.

Archaeology camps

Father Lev was an archaeologist before he became a priest, and together with Mother Irina, the parish architect, he leads archaeological camps for the teenagers. They undertake an in depth survey of local ruined landmarks, and also talk to local elderly people to about their memories, and collect artefacts to display in the local museum. This is a valuable way of helping the children re-connect with their heritage, so much of which the Communist regime attempted to destroy.

Excursions

Many children in Kondopoga have never left their town. The parish broadens their horizons by taking them on trips to local places of interest. Once a year, thanks to funding from SGF, the most committed members of the Saturday club are taken to Petersburg.

Street children

During the summer holidays 40 "street children" are given three meals at parish house each day. The local authority asks the parish to feed them because although they may have homes, they are totally neglected by their parents. During the holidays they cannot access free school meals. They also can use parish house washing facilities, are given a medical check up, and are given shoes, clothes and stationery for school at the end of the summer.

The homeless

Each day homeless adults also come to the parish for a hot meal. They are also able to receive legal help here to put their papers in order. In Russia without the right documents you cannot access any services, so this is a crucial form of assistance.

The sawmill

With help from SGF and other charities the parish set up a small sawmill in the nearby village of Novinka. Over the years it has provided employment for many individuals who would otherwise struggle to find work perhaps because of refugee status or a drink problem. A very strict policy about not drinking before or at work has given some the discipline they need to cut their drinking to more manageable levels. The village as a whole benefits enormously from the parish presence and a source of regular employment.