 I am working in Siberia teaching the Bible. I happen to live next to Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake (volumewise) in the world. It is very beautiful to say the least. Why am I writing to you? I am trying to raise some funds a paticular project in Siberia and when I searched through the internet I found your address. If you have a minute or two please let me explain my situation. I have been working with the director of a sports camp to help rebuild a run down "Pioneer Camp". Pioneer camps were the former Boy Scout camps that included political indoctrination of the youth into the communist faith. Many of these camps no longer function in any way because of the economic collaspes in the country. Today, many young people that used to go to camp in the summer are now on the streets doing very little, some maybe causing small amounts of trouble, and a few are getting involved in drugs. It is a very serious problem here. Russian children don't have nearly the camping access as they did in the past. This is a shame because many of us who were or are outdoorsman or "scouts" know the value of spending time in the woods. When I was thinking about how to help correct this situation, I met Valery Bibik who is the director of a youth camp in Irkustk. He is also a member of a shooting club and an avid hunter and fisherman. I have joined with him in their summer camp program which has the goals of helping young Russian men and women to learn how to shoot, gun saftey, and wildlife conservation while they experience going to summer camp. We have agreed to share a space on the same camp grounds but I will be working to teach children English as a skill and the Bible for a moral foundation along side of sports activities- hiking, swimming, and physical training. I believe this is a good approach. He works with sports on His area of the camp and I with recreation, morals and developing a marketable skill for Russian children- the ability to speak English. I need help with funds to rebuild four buildings on the camp grounds to be used for living quarters and for teaching the children who will attend our camp. We have use of the land and the rundown camp buildings, but I need to get it in working order. Would you be interested in helping in donating any amount of money for rebuilding a camp for children such as this? If yes, sending a donation for this relatively easy - it can be sent to my church in the states who oversees my work, and they can send me the money for the camp by a currier. Donors will recieve a tax deduction of course. I am asking for $50.00 to help us. The address to send a donation is : North Atlanta Church of Christ 5676 Roberts Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30338 telephone -770 399-5222 Earmark your check for "Siberian Camp Fund - Irkutsk" I need to raise altogether about $40,000.00 to rebuild the camp area and as of now I have about $5,000.00 raised. I am trying to help the Russian people to know that Americans are with them in their struggle to develope a good future for themselves and to have quality lives. Sharing love and hope with Russian children is a great way to build this process. If you would like to contact me- send me mail at my email address. taylor@irmail.ru You can call at (3952) 35-77-73. May God bless you in any account. Sincerely, Jeff Matteson ps. If you would like to come to Siberia to see Lake Baikal and the camp let me know. I can help you with any arrangements and facilities you may need. This is a wonderful place to hike, mountain climb, and ski. It is incredible in it's natural beauty. |
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