Orphan Act - Russia - Participating Russian Rotary Clubs

From Wikipedia. Biysk or Biisk (Russian: Бийск) is a city in Altai Krai of Russia. Biysk is the second largest city of the Krai (after Barnaul), with population of 229,412 (2004 est.). The population of the city as recorded by the 2002 Census was 218,562. Biysk is situated in Southwestern Siberia, on the Biya River (not far from its confluence with the Katun River). The city is called "the gates to the Altay Mountains", because of its position comparatively not far from this range. In Biysk there is the beginning of the Chuysky Highway, which goes through the Altai Republic to Russia's border with Mongolia. The city was founded in 1709 as a fortress by the order of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, but in about a year was burnt by a local nomadic tribe and rebuilt in 1718. Gradually Biysk lost its role as a military base, but became an important centre of trade, which received a city status in 1782.

The Rotary Club of Biysk is 2 years YOUNG, and has been very busy! Although two years young, they have only been charted since November 24 2004. The Biysk Club has 20 members. Last year they worked on three projects and gifted their community citizens and children of a total of US$43,000.00! The three projects were, sking for children, two fetal monitors for "Mother&Child" Hospital and sports equipment for the disabled.

The Club also financed reconstrustion and renovation an old building and arranged sport-club "AB-Sport-Leader" for disabled childrend and children from poor families. The members presented the Orpnanage with wear, books, videotape, cassettes, journals and newspapers for whole year, installed TV-antenna and make cable net to all rooms. Seven Rotarians from the club visited Alaska, New-York and Washington in August 2006, for a Friendship Exchange program. Two Club members visited to Idia and participsted in the RI Polio program.

Article submitted by:

Alexander Shebalin

Club Director

Biysk Rotary Club