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What We Have Done
 St. Alexei the Martyr Chapel St. Alexei the Martyr Chapel With financial assistance from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, a chapel was built in 2003 on the foundation of the sanctuary of the original church in Sablino, which was destroyed by the Communists in 1938. Because it is located in the center of Sablino, next to the Sablino railroad stop, many people stop here to pray or purchase books or candles. American youth landscaped the chapel during their 2003 and 2005 visits.  Chapel, Women's PrisonWomen’s Prison #202/2 As chaplain of the largest women’s prison in Russia, Fr. Nikolai developed a sizeable Christian community, baptizing almost 20 women each month. Forty percent of the prisoners now attend church regularly. With financial aid from MVERN, Fr. Nikolai also built a freestanding chapel, the first in a Russian prison. MVERN has donated medical supplies, computers and sewing machines to the prison. This ministry continues today under another chaplain.  Loading a Shipboard Container Ocean-Going Container Although the project took 14 months from start to finish, a 40’ ocean-going container was delivered to Sablino in November 2002, filled with more than $200,000 worth of medical supplies for the Tosno Regional Medical Hospital, computers for the local schools, sewing supplies and coats for the prison, and Christmas gifts for the children at St. Nicholas Church and the orphanages.  Tosno Hospital Tosno Regional Medical Hospital Travelers on all exchanges have carried suitcases filled with medications, medical supplies and equipment for use at this regional hospital.  Nikolskoye Municipal Orphanage Nikolskoye Municipal Orphanage The majority of institutionalized children are "social orphans" who, because they have a living parent, are not eligible for adoption. Russian doctors routinely advise parents to give up children with disabilities, and the government often compels children of the poor, ill, alcoholics, and the imprisoned, into its institutions. MVERN has provided school supplies, clothing, medical supplies, and toys for over 100 children at the Municipal Orphanage in Nikolskoye.  Classroom Olga's SchoolOlga’s School for Developmentally Disabled Children Developmentally disabled children receive a basic education from a professional and caring faculty at Olga’s School in Nikolskoye. They also learn the activities of daily living and are taught marketable skills. MVERN has contributed medical and school supplies to the school. Alcohol & Drug Addiction The Russian Health Ministry announced recently that Russian children under 15 now drink alcohol almost twice as often as they did five years ago and that the number of schoolchildren using drugs or alcohol has grown from 13% to 56% over the last ten years. In cooperation with OPORA, an inter-denominational substance abuse program, MVERN has sponsored a series of seminars for area teachers and other professionals, preparing them to provide drug and alcohol education programs in the schools. Transportation for Fr. Nikolai MVERN churches have raised the money needed to purchase several used vans and cars for Fr. Nikolai to transport parishioners and the church choir to five worship sites. Nikolskoye Community Center and Chapel MVERN provided financial support for the renovation of a donated building in neighboring Nikolskoye as a community center and chapel, which now serves a new congregation. |