Big Change Charity FoundationIndividualized Education for Orphans in Russia

Newsletter #2 - November-December 2013/14 school year

Dear Partners and Friends!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! This festive season Moscow has

a lot of interesting events tooffer to those who are visitingthe capital of Russia in winter.And we are glad that amongstall the celebrations held thereare many charity events andbazaars. On December 15th “BigChange” participated in one ofthe biggest charity bazaars –“Heart2Heart Bazar” – that hasgathered around 8,000 people.All the money, donated to thefoundation, will be spent onproviding education toorphanage youth.

“Hear2heart Bazar”In Moscow

The composition of studentschanges from year to year.This year we have fewerstudents coming from theorphanages, but a largernumber of kids fromadoptive families and youngpeople from mental homes,who require assistance withsocial adaptation. Our current students Oleg and Alexey

attending student’s conference

This year we have about 60 young people enrolled in variousprograms of Big Change. Some students came with a desire to getready for the high school exams, others came with a need toacquire basic level education and skills that will enable them to liveindependently.

2013-2014 studentsMaking learning fun

One of our key tasks is to inspireour students to learn. Teachersuse many creative ways to reachout to students and lighten thesparkles of interest.

Weekly quizzes, interesting Math and language problems used to

make learning fun

Big Change Charity FoundationIndividualized Education for Orphans in Russia

Newsletter #2 - November-December 2013/14 school year

Student’s Conference – new participants and discoveries

At the beginning of December the 40th Student’s Conference of“Self-study” program was held in “Big Change”. This time three ofour students had a chance to present the results of their researchwork. Andrew spoke about his music idol – Eminem, who’s lifepath became an inspiration for Andrew. “Never give up” – was themain thought of the report and the motto he applied to himself.

Tanya told us about her summertour over the Golden Ring cities. Itwas Tanya's debut and she shouldbe greatly rewarded for her artistryand sincerity. Oleg then went ontalking about cultural values. Hewas very concerned about the fateof Bratsevo mansion located in Tanya doing her presentation

Moscow, so he conducted a study about its history and then did a wonderful presentation about its story and owners.

“Time to scatter stones and time to gather them”

Starting from mid December all Universityand college students have their mid-termtests and exams.

Almost every day during this period wereceive calls and emails from our graduateswith news on how they did during theexams. “I got a “B” on chemistry!”, “Ipassed my tests on Math!”

We are very proud and excited about ourgraduates and always happy to share withthem their successes!Last year’s graduate Masha,

currently first year Medical school student

We are proud to announce thatthis year "Big Change" got the"Silver Standard" award for our2012-2013 Annual report. Itwas the contest organized bythe Charities Aid Foundation,Russia among Russian NGOsand we are happy that ourreport has got recognized bythe respected experts.

“Silver standard” Annual Report

Our PR-director Anna holding the desired award

Helping to helpFinding a job for someone withdisabilities is quite challengingin Moscow. Cooperation withanother NGO gave some of ourstudents an opportunity to helpwith making handmadepostcards for charity events andalso earn some money.

Our student Volodya and his mentor Maria making post cards

Big Change Charity FoundationIndividualized Education for Orphans in Russia

Newsletter #2 - November-December 2013/14 school year

Our contacts:www.facebook.com/

BigChangeFoundation

“Big Change”

Charity Foundation117556, Moscow,

Varshavskoe shosse, 66/2Tel: +7 (499) 317-44-44

www.bigchange.ru/en

Our plans and hopes for the future…

“Big Change” Charity Foundationwill continue its work in new2014 year. We thank you foryour support and trust! We havegreat plans for the followingyear: lessons will be held,conferences organized,extracurricular activities andevents will be planned. But westill need 5,000,000 RUB (around150,000 USD) for our futureprograms. So please do nothesitate to donate or share theinformation about us with yourfriends and colleagues.

Thank you!

“First Call”We often receive requests from orphanage graduates, adoptiveparents, guardians or volunteers, who face complex issuesregarding educational paths, status clarifications, paper work.

This year we have launched a new program - an Informationalcenter “First Call”. We help our clients analyze the situation andselect the best solution.

As part of this program we helped adoptive parents decide onthe educational path for the kids, just taken from theorphanages; assisted orphanage graduates in determining thenext step in life; helped several families overcome crisis situation.

Expanding the horizonsBig Change offers our students a widerange of opportunities to expand theirhorizons and learn more about art,theater, history and culture.

During the period of November-December our students had a chanceto learn about Russian LandscapePainters, Egyptian Art, visit some ofthe best theater performances, hearmusic of great classical composers,and poetry of Sergei Esenin. This year’s student Teya

at the theater