Astrakhan Initiative for Minors (AIM)

Project Managers: Tomash Rogala, Jola and Joost Denissen

Astrakhan Initiative for Minors conducted classes and seminars for teenagers and young adults in orphanages, shelters, kindergartens, primary schools, as well as Chechnyan refugee camps. When they were given the use of a property, they renovated it and turned it for a center for street kids. This property became their base of operations for classes and seminars for Astrakhan youth, as well as providing free medical help courtesy of volunteer doctors and staff.

A "Return to School" program targeted youth who quit school prematurely to resume their studies and/or prepare for exams. Children who had never entered school were encouraged to do so and were supplied with needed books, etc, combined with home visitation and counseling.

Other programs included AIDS awareness and anti-drug campaigns.

Astrakhan, Russia

Street kids being put to work building a ping pong table.

Some of the young people we help.