Voluntary work
Do you fancy coming to Russia not as a tourist, but to immerse yourself totally into the Russian daily life, and on top of that, to experience humanitarian work by helping those who really need it?
We can offer you a voluntary work program at Notchlejka, www.homeless.ru, an NGO which looks after homeless people in Russia. These people actually save lives when all hope is almost lost. You must remember that being homeless in Russia does not mean the same thing as being homeless in the countries you come from.
The Russian social security is structured in such a way, that without a "registration" (official document stating where you live), you simply do not exist in the system, and therefor are not entitled to any help from the State: you don't get medical assistance, a place to live or a job.
Considering the Russian climate, a night spent out on the streets can cost you your toes, (frozen, then struck by gangrene) and even your life, as the city hostel are scarce and usually full. So people can die without anyone noticing, public opinion is apathetic and no one cares. Except for Notchlejka.
The organization does not have huge recourses, but it does everything it possibly can and is always looking for a helping hand. If you want to join their team and help out, we can organize it for you.
How can you help?
a) Distribute food as part of the "night bus" project.
b) Work in rehabilitation centers, participate in psychological seminaries about the social reinsertion of homeless people.
c) Accompany the homeless (and the handycapped homeless) people to hospitals, social institutions, museums and theatres.
d) Organize supportive actions for homeless people.
e) Hand out clothes at the Notchlejka distribution center.
f) Work in the "heated tent", the only place where the homeless can take refuge during the winter nights.
g) Make a donation.
h) Use our site anotherrussia.com to come to Russia, as we we hand over 10 per cent of our company's profit to Notchlejka.
Another way to discover the hard reality of a homeless life in the Russian winter is to take part in our special programme "homeless for a day", which turns you into a Russian homeless person for a minimum of 24 hours. This programme is available from the start of October to the end of March, on reservation only.
If you are interested in one of our programmes or by working for the NGO Notchlejka, please contact us. We do not charge any fee for the organization of voluntary work.