HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Supporting Programs That Help Children
Every year, World Links International Adoption Agency devotes time, energy and economic resources to charitable causes aimed at benefiting children in orphanages throughout Russia. From supporting the arts and education to building playgrounds, from donating multi-media supplies and clothing to designing “life skills” courses for older children, we at World Links believe that actions speak louder than words when it comes to helping children in need of permanent parents and a loving home.
Russian Arts Festival
World Links International Adoption Agency raised more than $10,000 for the Russian Arts Festival in Russia for children residing in orphanages. We also provided the prize: an all-expense-paid trip to the United States for three weeks. The festival hosts 400 talented children between the ages of 7 and 16 living in orphanages all over Russia. For two weeks, the children compete in the performing arts. They design and hand-sew their own costumes for this exciting event and love having the chance to show off the skills and talents they have been working so hard to perfect.
The children also look forward to being able to travel to the countryside – this being one of the only occasions for them to do so. For the past two years, the incredibly talented dancers from the Smolensk boarding school have won first prize and traveled to the United States. This trip has promoted international goodwill and understanding and has created a greater awareness of the Russian tradition of excellence in the performing arts. In some cases, children who were available for adoption were even able to find their permanent homes and loving families here in the United States.
Help Together
World Links has partnered with other Russian organizations to design and implement a life skills program in the Bryansk region called “Help Together.” This job training and counseling program has a direct impact on the lives of older waiting children by helping them transition into society. By helping these teenagers learn public speaking, word processing, computers and secretary skills, this program helps create contributing members of society, thus benefiting everyone.
Orphanage Library Project
World Links equipped the library in Zhukovka Orphanage with computers, TVs, VCRs, musical equipment and hundreds of books. These much-needed supplies will aid the 1200 waiting children who reside in the orphanage.
Shoe-Shopping Spree
Taking a giant step in the right direction, World Links purchased brand new shoes and backpacks for every orphan in the Kalooga orphanage. For most of these children, it was the first present they have received in a long time.
Playground and Swimming Pool Project
World Links International adoption agency spent two months building a large playground for the children of the Bryansk region in Russia. The playground included a toy-house, sand box, swings, benches, and other fun components for children to play on. World Links also provided the chemicals for the maintenance of the pool at the orphanage, which was slated to be closed because the orphanage couldn’t afford to maintain it. Now the children can continue to learn how to swim, exercise and have fun on hot summer days.
Bryansk Library Project
World Links donated a number of important equipment and resources to the new Bryansk Library in Russia. The grand opening of the library was an exciting event and was even attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Russia. Our donations included, books, videotapes, DVDs, TVs, Printers, copy machines. Adoptive families will also be able to make their own donations to the library in the years to come.
Humanitarian Aid
We provided school supplies, clothes, and shoes for the needy children in an orphanage in the Bryansk region. World Links also established funds for various needs of the Bryansk orphanage and has been sponsoring Art and Music classes in the orphanage.
New Year's Trip To Moscow
For the past three years, World Links International Adoption Agency has sponsored a winter program in Russia. Each year, waiting children from the Smolensk and Bryansk Oblasts travel to Moscow for the New Year’s Celebration. The children go to see the main Christmas tree in the Kremlin, Red Square and the numerous cultural highlights throughout the capital. They also visit various galleries and attend various shows. This wonderful experience has deeply touched the lives of these children and has given them the rare opportunity to travel outside the orphanage. With your help, we would like to continue this program by sponsoring more children this year and the years to come. [Any kind of link to follow up on this?]
International Adoption Book Publishing
World Links assisted in publishing an adoption reference guide entitled “Laws and Regulations for Russian Officials in International Adoption.” This large reference book was delivered to 500 specialists in the adoption field in the Smolensk Region of the Russian Federation and is meant to help waiting children by promoting adoption within Russia’s own borders. World Links, furthermore, was the main sponsor of the second issue of the newspaper “Where Are You, Mama?” which serves as an avenue to explain the needs of orphans. This quarterly newspaper is geared toward adoption specialists and contains up-to-date changes in legislation, new procedures and information on international and domestic adoptions.
Our agency also provides other videos and printed materials that promote adoption and we help publish a children’s rights magazine.
Karachev Baby House Repairs
We helped fix the Karachev Baby House, which was in much need of repair. We also financed the purchase of the equipment and supplies for the physic-medical and rehabilitation offices in the Karachev orphanage as well as winter clothes, laundry appliances, small baby-basins and food for the children with special dietary needs.
Summer Host Program In Russia
We sponsored a summer program that allowed children to experience what life is like living in a family setting in their own homeland. During the summer months, orphans lived with Russian families and had a wonderful time. Host families were selected among the orphanage and boarding school staff. World Links organized cultural activities for the participating families and children.
Guardian Angel Medical Program
Our Guardian Angel Medical Program brings children to America to receive badly needed healthcare and surgery that may not be available in their home countries. This care not only improves quality of life, but also increases these children’s chances for adoption.
To learn more about these programs, please contact us by filling out a contact form or call at 1-866-236-7870
