The President of Children of Russia, Inc., Mrs. Natasha Owen, who is also the Honorary Russian Consul General in Hawaii, with children at the orphanage in Ekaterinovka.

Who are we?

"Children of Russia" is a non-profit, humanitarian organization founded in April 2000 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. The idea came out of participation of the Honorary Consul General of Russia in Hawaii, Mrs. Natasha Owen, in the humanitarian programs of the American military doctors in the Russian Far East. Visiting hospitals for children, orphanages and long-term care facilities for handicapped children made her realize the necessity for outside help during the difficult years of Russia's transition to the free market economy.

What do we do?

Currently we are working on the following projects:

We are collecting art supplies for the art classes at the Vladivostok childrens' oncology center. This art program helps the children deal with their disease.

We are helping the tuberculosis hospital for children in Vladivostok to implement a program of social rehabilitation, since the children who get TB are generally from socially unstable families.

	Kristina Kovalenko was diagnosed with cancer when she was five. Although her chemotherapy treatment kept her out of school for half a year, Kristina studied at home and is now an A student in the third grade.

The oncology center for children in Vladivostok needs diagnostic equipment that will help to save children's lives, as the success of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis.

Why can't we do it without you?

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, regional districts in Russia faced the difficult prospect of obtaining funding from Moscow. Many formerly well-supported institutions (schools, libraries, theater, ballet, art, and so on) were left almost destitute. While many have been forgotten in the new Russia, it is the fate of children that most concerns us. In times of economic restructuring children suffer the most. The children of Russia need your help while the country finds its way into the global economy.

How can you help?

Yes, we do need to raise money. However, just as important are items like equipment, clothes, toys, school supplies, and other types of non-monetary donations. We would also appreciate training grants for health care providers and social workers, donations of medical equipment and supplies.

	Kristina drew this picture of the sun when she was seven as the symbol of her hope to survive.

What have we accomplished?

In the orphanage in the village of Ekaterinovka we used the funds from a charity concert to build a carpenter's shop. As a result, the children learn carpentry, how to repair and build their own furniture. We used donations from the Russian diplomats working in the US to build a rehabilitation center in the orphanage of Ussurijsk.

How to contact us?

Children of Russia, Inc.
4117 Kahala Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 737-5248
Fax: (808) 737 - 7806
E-Mail: nowen@lava.net

The Children of Russia is a non-profit, tax exempt foundation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501 (c) (3).