Project Managers David & Flor Lykins Based in Tangen, Norway Nordic Christian Help Organization Project No: E18 Project Managers: David and Flor Lykins Contact Info: norrone@online.no Nordic Christian Help Organization (in Norwegian “Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon”) is dedicated to providing aid and comfort to people in need in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, as well as Eastern Europe. Nordic Christian Help Organization collects, transports and distributes humanitarian aid and gifts to organizations and institutions such as orphanages, prisons, needy families and people in extreme circumstances. Much of this aid is distributed through the channels of the Red Cross and the Children’s Fund in Saint Petersburg, Russia as well as through the Red Cross in Riga, Latvia. Plans include expansion of distribution to the Ukraine and the Baltic States, as well as providing educational materials and contacts with groups, institutions and individuals that can provide training that will benefit the handicapped and disadvantaged.	Shoe delivery to orphans in Latvia.
	Dental equipment at our warehouse in Norway to be sent to Russia.
	Picking up donated clothing.

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State of the Poor in Russia and Eastern Europe

With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the countries that now constitute the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the former Eastern Europe, experienced a dramatic change in their economies. This change affected the lives of everyone living in the country as massive unemployment, and under employment, was accompanied by hyperinflation and corruption. This in turn led to a spectacular increase in social problems.

Several of the groups most affected, and least able to adapt were the aged, the physical and mentally handicapped and orphan children. In the past these individuals were provided for by state funding, funding which has either dramatically decreased and in many cases has ceased entirely. To complicate matters many qualified staff and administrators of institutions have quit their profession to seek employment elsewhere as a matter of financial necessity.

The term “orphans” has taken on a new meaning in the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. This term does not apply only to children who are parentless, but to the estimated 4 - 8 million children who have lost one parent, and because of problems in the home, usually related to alcohol and/or child abuse and economic hardship, the children are placed in a state institution. Another group, “street children”, also falls into this category but are without the benefit of any state care. These children are most often the victims of criminal groups. At present only private charity and mission organizations provide any hope or assistance for the vast majority of these children.

In Russia today, seventy-five percent of the children who leave state orphanages, at the mandatory age of 18, become prostitutes, drug dealers or are involved in other types of crime. Many have a hard time finding employment because a large number of them have been wrongly diagnosed as being mentally handicapped. Institutions do this in order to get more money from the state for their care or, more commonly, to give the children medication, thereby keeping them sedated and thus easier to care for. (The prospects for the truly handicapped are even bleaker.)

According to statistics compiled by Médecins Sans Frontières, about 5 million beggars, including 2 million children, make their living on the streets of Russia alone. These people are without the protection afforded to most citizens and are often the victims of organized crime and criminal gangs. Handicapped children especially are forced to beg and turn the money over to others. There are many places in the larger cities where handicapped children can be bought or “rented”. The more physically disabled a child is, the higher the price.

The elderly face likewise extreme difficulties. Most exist on pensions of between $65-$85 per month. And it is not uncommon for pensions to be delayed for 2 - 3 months at a time. While many pensioners have families or friends to help sustain them others do not. The less fortunate must depend upon the charity of others, which often mean soup kitchens that provide free hot meals. Such kitchens exist through the support of private companies and charity organizations.

The situation is likely to continue for some time. Many of the charity organizations that were helping in different programs are now themselves handicapped by the passing of a law passed in Russia in 1997, directed against new religious organizations operating in the country. Western companies which were working in the CIS and which made significant contributions to various charity related programs in the past have closed or greatly reduced their presence due to the continuing economic decline. Thus we see an ever-increasing need coupled with a decrease in available funding.

The Challenge

There is a growing awareness that local groups of concerned individuals may be the only ones to meet the challenges outlined above. We believe that hope lies with the local indigenous programs which provide not only the immediate assistance required such as food, shelter and clothing, but education and training programs that offer hope of gainful employment. Thus, we feel the biggest challenge that will produce lasting results is twofold: In the short term it is to encourage and provide assistance with material aid to these local, indigenous programs. And to provide educational assistance and organizational skills to these individuals and institutions that have effective programs with real potential and which can be sustained locally in the long term.

From the remnants of the former state network of hospitals and institutions, various individuals and groups of concerned people have united to form an alternative. These are private “family orphanages” that encourage the placement of orphans and the handicapped into homes of private individuals. These provide a better, family atmosphere, to children and give them a better sense of security, personal care and individual worth.

Several institutions and private orphanages have also formed which exist on private contributions and which sometimes receive a small allotment from the state. These centers have a higher sense of motivation and are more concerned about the individual children in their care. Most of these are places with a real sense of mission that are sincerely concerned about the children.

These individuals, families, and institutions face a constant struggle with finances and resources. Like every other institution and business in the CIS today they must also content with corruption and complacency. Old mindsets do not change easily and they have to contend with a state bureaucracy that is set against their doing anything outside the norms of the past.

Financial assistance or salaries from the state are often late in payment or do not arrive in their entirety. As a result many of the staffs have to go for months at a time without any income. Providing aid to help during these times is a big undertaking but can make all the difference in keeping good personnel or losing them entirely.

Dental equipment at our warehouse in Norway to be sent to Russia.

Dental equipment being delivered to Russia.

In the past, 95% of all children born with handicaps were placed in state institutions that often provided only rudimentary care. The statistics remain basically the same today although there is a growing awareness in the public of both the needs and the possibilities of the handicapped living an independent and productive life. More needs to be done to encourage the successful programs, which provide training and opportunities for the handicapped.

Under the Communist government, it was almost impossible to learn from the techniques and progress made in countries outside of the former Soviet Union. This has changed over the last eight years and great strides have been made in developing educational programs and seminars on the professional level, which incorporate the developments of the whole world community. Still, providing the tools to accompany these new techniques or to develop them locally has been slow to materialize due to a lack of funding and availability locally. More needs to be done as well to inform and educate the general public of the needs, concerns and abilities of the handicapped.

The Objective of Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon

The stated objective of Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon is to provide assistance to those programs and individuals that are involved in active work, which constructively address the issues outlined.
Our aim is to provide the assistance and aid, which will help indigenous programs to succeed. We intend to do so by the following:
A) Providing aid and comfort to people in distress and in desperate need in Russia, the countries of the former Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe.

B) To collect, transport and distribute humanitarian aid and gifts to provide assistance to organizations and institutions such as orphanages, prisons, needy families and people in extreme circumstances.

C) Providing educational materials and contacts with groups, institutions and individuals that can provide training that will benefit the handicapped and disadvantaged.

Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon is a Norwegian-registered, non-profit organization. (Registration number 980 191 389) It also operates as a project of Family Care Foundation, a tax-exempt charity in the USA. Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon personnel have lived and worked over the last 7 years in Russia, Poland, and Latvia as well as carried extensive work for several years prior in Estonia, the former East Germany and the Czech Republic.

Receiving and collecting donated humanitarian aid is only the first step. Ensuring that the aid arrives safely, at minimal cost and reaches those who are truly in need is the final goal. Accountability is also a vital consideration. We work only with those projects that can be verified and can give accurate account for any aid received. Our participation in the actual distribution and being able to follow-up on it on a later date is one of the requirements for our participation.

Heading up the Russian office will be Dmitri Chaltsev. A Russian citizen, Dmitri, has been working full-time with the Russian branch since 1993. His previous experience includes working with orphanages and hospitals as well food distribution programs. His experience includes work in Siberia, as a logistics manager for the distribution of several 100 tons of food for the Salvation Army. The Crimea, (Yalta) for outstanding, and life saving work, with children with tuberculosis. He is an experienced specialist in the customs laws dealing with humanitarian aid in Russia. He was co-coordinator for the first humanitarian aid seminar on a national level held in Russia in 1997 and author of the book “Humanitarian Aid in Russia, Today and Tomorrow”. From 1998 -1999 he was the business manager for the Saint Petersburg office. Since 2000 he has headed up the work in Russia, basing from Moscow.

BUDGET PROPOSAL For Norwegian branch

$ 18,000 Used light truck, late model, 4-5 years old.

$ 2,000 Utility trailer for pick-ups.

$ 3,500 Computer and office equipment including: computer, monitor, keyboard, phone/fax modem, printer, scanner, and software.

$ 6,000 Office rental. ($500 X 12 months)

$ 1,500 Insurance / Fees including: road tax, truck, office and travel insurance.

$ 5,400 Office expenses including: Phone / fax, office materials, printing, postage. ($450 X 12)

$ 1,800 Utilities including: electric, heating, water. ($150 X 12)

$ 16,800 Transportation and shipping including: Fuel, oil, and maintenance. $4,800 ($400 X 12)
Shipping $9,600 ($800 X 12)
Warehousing $2,400 ($200 X 12)

$ 2,700 Supervisory travel to field offices ($900 X 3)

$ 1,200 Legal, bank and visa fees

$ 1,800 Unexpected expenses. (Represents 3% of proposed annual budget.)

$ 8,900 Administration (Represents 15 % of annual budget.)
__________

$ 69,600 Total Norwegian branch expenses.

$ 17,400 Russian branch expenses.
___________
$ 87,000 Grand Total.

BUDGET PROPOSAL for Russian branch

$ 3,600 Office rental ($300 X 12.)

$ 600 Insurance including office, warehouse and travel.

$ 2,500 Phone / fax and office expenses including: copying and postage.

$ 1,800 Utilities including: electric, heating, water (100 X 12.)

$ 4,500 Transport and shipping including: Inland Truck and Train $1,500 Public Transport ($100 X 12)
Warehousing (150 X 12)
$ 1,200 Legal, banking and visa fees.

$ 400 Unexpected expenses. (Represents 3% of total Russian budget.)

$ 2,800 Administration. (Represents 20 % of total Russian budget.)
_________
$ 17,400 Total Russian budget.

Doing Best By Doing Good

From a power point presentation by Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon (Nordic Christian Help Organization)

Recommending a Strategy
Every company is in business to make money, profits.

Companies that associate closely with nonprofits - that genuinely adopt a nonprofits cause and measurably help its work - find that an interesting thing happens.

What happens
The goodwill accorded the nonprofit rubs off on them.

Supporters of the organization begin to look favorably on the company, even to buy its products if it will help the cause.

The public at large may see the company in a different light - as one that cares about people as well as profits. The company’s image is softened; its appeal to consumers grows.

Partnerships can also help strengthen relationships with employees, who want to feel proud of their employers.

Partnerships also help a company stand out from the crowd.

Goal and Objective
Provide assistance and comfort to people in distress and desperate need in Russia, the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

To collect, transport and distribute humanitarian aid and gifts to organizations and institutions such as orphanages, prisons, needy families and people in extreme circumstances.

Provide educational materials and contacts with groups, institutions and individuals that can provide training that will benefit the handicapped and disadvantaged.

Today’s Situation
Norrøne Kristne Hjelpeorganisasjon has built up an extensive network of contacts with individuals and companies that can supply needed help either free or at greatly reduced costs.

We have extensive contacts and good working relationships with both government officials as well as numerous non-government (NGO’s) in receiving countries.

Network of highly motivated workers, with experience.

.
Available Options:
A) Continue as we are at present and provide limited assistance to existing programs.
B) Take advantage of opportunities and material help offered and make a significant impact by increasing help to programs of proven success and extending aid to other newly developing projects with potential.

Advantages and disadvantages
A) Some needed help will continue to arrive but with increasing costs and donors may be discouraged.
B) Significantly larger amounts of aid can be collected and sent and more opportunities for work and training of the handicapped and disadvantaged provided. More funding will need to be raised and existing warehousing expanded.

Benefit To Sponsors
Employee moral can be boosted.

In some cases costs can be cut or reduced, especially in warehousing and additional handling.

Markets can be protected from “dumping” or undercutting prices.

Good publicity. Sponsors will be seen as being involved and making a contribution to society.

To view an Adobe Acrobat version of our brochure, click below:
English (173k)
Norwegian (216k)

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