Orphan Act - Russia - Projects: Available - Project 161

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Eureka California, District 5010, Rotary Club of Vail Colorado, iOrphan, Lion's Club of California, Manor Vail Lodge in Vail Colorado, and the City of Biysk Siberia for your donations to this project.

We are almost to our goal but need additonal funds to make this project a reality.

This school functions as a boarding school because it is the regional school for the blind. There are 150 children ages 7 to 18 years of age.

Because there is such a great need in the region for a school like this, there is a committee that makes the final decision who is accepted.

45 totally blind children and the rest have corrected vision of less than 40% normal.

Braille is taught along with others programs to include music, foreign language and the life skills for daily living.

What happens when the children leave at age 18? They are on their own and need the skills necessary to lead productive lives in their communities. The center has identified a company, Freedom Scientific, who makes computers and equipment for the blind. The school would use these computers to teach these children computer skills which would aid them in finding employment when they leave the school to live independently.

Each computer station is $8,000.00 and the school requests ten stations for its students.