Kitezh

"Kitezh has the potential to lead the world" recognized Madge Bray, a senior UK social worker in the area of child abuse. "The atmosphere between the children themselves was as harmonious as I have seen in any care establishment anywhere".

Main activities center on the children's education, psychological, and physical well-being. They are taught life-skills as well as academic subjects. All work with computers, their local financial system, and on the farm and building projects. Every child has the right to choose to live there -- and to choose their own adoptive parents.

All of this and so much more have I read on their websites and newsletters. Yet, the average, intuitive citizen who hasn't visited the community takes the time to read beyond the articles.

The founder, Dmitry Morozov, gave up his job as an up-and-coming radio journalist to establish Kitezh in 1992. He lives in the community with his family. The immediate goal is to provide for 50 families with 200 children -- with the long term intention to create Kitezh villages throughout Russia.

Team spirit is definitely key in this environment. "We are creating Kitezh and Kitezh is creating us," wrote one 15-year-old boy.

Given that it is the responsibility of the Kitezh Management Council to finance their basic needs, including food, clothing, etc, although they receive a basic monthly stipend from the state equivalent to $40 U.S. for each child in their care and $20 U.S. for each qualified teacher, the actual payment is often erratic due to the government's economic pressures. These are individuals who truly care for the children.

A comment from Mary Ellen Sheehan, an American volunteer who spent two summer months in the community, "I was impressed by Kitezh in so many ways. I have looked at a lot of U.S. communities, being interested in being part of one or starting one in the future. And Kitezh definitely impressed me the most, because of the huge commitment the families make to the kids, themselves, each other and the community, and also there is such a sense of normalcy and easiness there. Everyone seems to have this strong commitment, but they are so low key about it. Kitezh seems to be wonderful place for kids to grow up in. They are very happy, well adjusted, and many of them express the interest to come back and teach at Kitezh in the future. If that's not part of a successful community, I don't know what is! Two months was not long enough. I wish I had planned to stay longer, But I expect I'll be back."

A program has been established to support the children through e-mail, birthday cards, small gifts, and other extensions of caring. Good understanding and relations propose a definite opportunity for students of all ages throughout the world. Emphasized are the joys and uniqueness in bringing new blood, ideas, and skills in Kitezh. Please check "Adopt a God-Child" on their website.

Kitezh booms with altruism -- the necessitated food for the soul. My sister and I comically revised an old cliché, "based on a true movie". We can make it a reality. We can "Pay it Forward."

--June Lampe www.ecologia.org.uk