Voronezh, Russia—UPF has contributed to the success of ecologically themed service projects in this southwestern Russian city.
On August 13, 2022, UPF co-organized an “eco-quest” event together with the private recycling company Sobirator (“Collector”) at its “eco-center”—a facility for collecting and separating waste.
The city's Volunteer Center supplied the hosts for the eco-quest stations.
The “eco-quest” is a very popular activity now among young people in Russia. It consists of different tasks that teach ecological awareness or how to practically do certain things to improve the environment—for example, sorting different types of waste.
A second activity took place on August 22 to 25, when volunteers and artists spent three days at Voronezh specialized boarding school no. 7 to paint its old, gray walls. In particular, the Zaborovsky family with many children, UPF volunteers, and the Volunteer Center of Voronezh worked together harmoniously, creatively, and energetically to create a small miracle.
Artist Valeria Poshvina came up with the idea of depicting a phoenix, the bird that symbolizes rebirth, gaining strength, energy and new life. Her creative idea was joined by the Zaborovsky family, who supported Valeria and supplemented her sketch. Now there are two phoenix birds, as a reminder that each of us, no matter how unique, is able to meet a soulmate!
As Ivan Zaborovsky, the head of the family, wrote, "The unspoken rule of six handshakes and faith in the power of good could transform another corner in our city."
A total of approximately 40 volunteers took part in these two service programs.