“We are going to attract students and staff`s attention to charity projects provided at ITMO University,” said Svetlana Ushakova, expert of Social Design and Entrepreneurship Center of Department of Technological Management and Innovations, and one of organizers of the Fair. “ITMO University takes part and organizes social activities in order to support orphan children, older people and needy families. A lot of young people are involved in these activities. So we aim to turn these practices into the way of life.”
After preparing presents students went to a retirement home in Gatchina so as to talk to older people and give them hand-made gifts.
Student Volunteer Center of ITMO University has been working for three years. Its projects are connected with various charity types such as environmental and health. Apart from initiating their own activities ITMO university also takes part in city-wide actions under the leadership of St. Petersburg charity organizations. According to Alena Stepanischeva, head of Student Volunteer Center, its` key staff consists of 30 students, lecturers and professors who organize projects. There are also about 1, 000 active members who support charity activities.
Last year the Center launched “A Fun Day for Children.” It involved members of ITMO University drama group and other volunteers who prepared interesting performances for a young audience. Both children and their parents enjoyed it.
“The last year we performed our plays at “Almazov North-West Medical Research Center.” This year we are also going to cheer up children suffering from heart diseases and their parents who also stayed with them,” noted Yulia Usikova, head of Chamber Theatre of ITMO University.
Apart from its own activities Student Volunteer Center of ITMO University raises money for different charity funds. For instance, its` members take part in annual festival “From Heart to Heart,” which aims to support orphan houses.
Activities of the center are also connected with ecological projects. Thus this summer students from different countries joined their forces so as to take part in workshops on environmental awareness and clean up the shores of Berestovoe lake. ITMO University also offers social activities for those who want to support international students studying in Russia by organizing their leisure in St. Petersburg.
“It is very easy to join us. Just submit an application where note what projects you would like to provide,” noted Alena Stepanischeva.