Last year after the schools in Kondopoga were closed due to quarantine, and the curriculum was supplemented with online teaching. No children from poor families could join as they did not have access to computers or internet. This made studying very hard for them. The Parish stepped in to help these children in their education and with St Gregory’s support they bought two laptops and hosted online classes which children could attend at the Parish House.
A lesson the children found particularly hard was English. We are now providing an English tutor from the UK – our wonderful volunteer teacher, Bea, a UCL student – who is helping to teach a few girls to prevent them from falling further behind at school.
Lockdown restrictions permitting, this summer Father Lev and his helpers will be providing food parcels and summer outdoor activities at the Parish’s House and the dacha at Munozero to 22 children from the most needy families. In addition, school supplies, uniforms and shoes will be provided to the children for when schools re-open. Over the summer months the Parish will also look after 10 severely disabled children, children with autism and learning disabilities from ‘Zabota’ Centre in Kondopoga. It will give children opportunities for greater communication and the chance to make friends and access the wider world. For their parents this is invaluable, and helps economically too, as they don’t have to drain their re-sources for the daily care of their disabled children.
None of us could have predicted the coronavirus pandemic, yet the Parish were ready to step in to support those in their care even though they had only modest resources. Most of all, they have helped families in need feel that they are not alone during these difficult times. It cost £24 to buy a monthly food parcel for a family with two children. Can you help?
