Kirill Bogouslavski, an American philanthropist of Russian descent, and Evgeni Kliot, head of the “Hope” Family Commune were destined to meet.
The former seeks meetings like these because hey are is his most important tasks. A professional financial manager, consultant whose clients have ranged from bankers to state governments, and a fairly affluent person, he is the founder of a foundation called AROAF (Ascent Russian Orphan Aid Foundation), which aids Russian orphans. The foundation is an extraordinary one. Unlike his peers, the founder tries to avoid, as he states, “organizational frills,” and conducts the foundation's affairs through personal contacts.
The recipients of AROAF aid are experienced professionals working with troubled youth. Many of them know Bogouslavski personally, others are friends of his friends, and still others have trustworthy recommendations. Like all pragmatic Americans, he does not rely solely on trust in matters as delicate as charity. He prefers speaking directly with his partners to “designated expenditure reports,” as he puts it. He considers it important to come on site, to look into a person's eye, and see what has been accomplished. The members of the foundation are volunteers who receive no salaries. The most difficult tasks–financial management, accounting, and tax reporting–are done by the director himself. This system allows him to confidently promise his American donors that “every cent of your contribution goes directly to the realization of a project for the orphans.”
“NV” readers are familiar with Evgeni Aleksandrovich Kliot, whose 12 students have graduated into adult life and who now works with a new generation of orphans. He still believes in the saying, “there is always someone who can help.” Kliot always finds them, or they always find him. Seeking government support, “Hope,” staying true to itself for more than ten years, has not lost hope even now. With the help of the American fund, AROAF, the boys' commune, located at 10 Dvinski, St. Petersburg have completed the rebuilding and furnishing of the social hotel. Now they even have a shower. The orphan apartment is ready for someone to move in.
In Karelia , the fund has paid for the electricity on farm facilities, teaching workshops, and farm housing quarters. During the winter, it will be warm and light there. Once again, if there is “Hope,” then there is still Hope.
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