Babushka Adoption
The collapse of the Soviet Union caused economic and social crisis for many people. Elderly people were among the most heavily affected. Many of them were abandoned by their children who emigrated to seek employment abroad, or did not have children. Vulnerable, lonely people could not make ends meet and to pay for their rent, food and heating costs, and have taken to begging on the streets.
In 1999 a project was initiated with the financial aid of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) entitled “Adopt a Babushka”. The project was later re-registered as a charitable NGO, the ‘Babushka Adoption’ Foundation.
The mission of Babushka Adoption Foundation is to mobilize and strengthen the opportunities of vulnerable, lonely older people through providing them financial, social and psychological support and services. There are fourteen employees working for the well-being of the beneficiaries. The Foundation activity is monitored and supported by a Supervisory Board, which guarantees the Foundation fulfils its mission and sponsors’ funds are spent properly.
Some brief statistics:
1999: 2 employees worked in the Foundation, 2 sponsors supported 5 babushkas
2008: 14 employees working in the Foundation, 700 sponsors support 1000 babushkas, 25 Self Help Groups working
Contact details:
Apt. 5, 39, Moskovskaya Street, Bishkek.
Tel.: +996 (312) 486490, 486491
http://www.babushkaadoption.org.
See Also:
- http://gk.kg/en/organizations/7/
Bishkek