Glimpses from our trip in April - May 2011

Nine students and two teachers headed for Skola Internat no 7 on April 29th. As usual, we went by bus - our favourite bus company Gjerdrum turbil - to Nynäshamn south of Stockholm, and then by ferry to Gdansk, and then bus again, with Andrej, who has taken us safely to Kaliningrad several times. Since we stuck to the rules this time and didn't carry hundreds of bags ands suitcases, passing the border between Poland and Russia went quickly and painlessly. This year's group of students were as excited as all the previous groups, not knowing where and with whom they would live and how the children would receive them. Of course this went very well - the hospitablity of the Russian host families were warming and made our Norwegian youngsters relax, and even though a mutual language to some extent were lacking , the communication seemed to work out quite well.

The orphans received us with some shyness and a lot of eagerness, and the little nervousness that might have been there, vanished rapidly. Since this was our second visit to school no 7, and since some of the kids knew us from earlier years at Skola no 3, the children had some expectations for the days we were going to spend together, and this gave us a flying start. We had a great week, going on excursions, on picnic, took part in classes, played football... all together with the charming children of Skola Internat no 7 and their friendly, helpful, humourus, warm and hardworking staff. Tears were shed on the day of departure, and there is a lot of memorable moments to cherish and nurse.

If you want to see pictures from Kaliningrad, you'd better search google...

On the first day we went for an excursion in the centre of town with children from 5th class, and here we are on one of the bridges that cross the river Pregolja where the old centre of Königsberg was situated before the bombing during the war. Here newly wedded couples "lock their love" and throw the key into the river.

Teutonic Knights outside the old restored church of Königsberg fascinate the boys.

Chernich, the little orphanage dog, loves the children, and they love him.

Refurbished bathrooms! We were happy to see the results of our fund raising. If you look further down on the blog, you can compare....

 Picnic on the seaside with football, "tourist competition", grilling, Uzbekian pilaff. Great fun, great food, great kids, and impressive work by the grown-ups.

Which group can make a camp first?

The school is happy about their psychology room, wchich we have helped decorate. The room is equipped with different games and gadgets that help the children develop coordination, concentration etc.

Keeping the balance... speachless and intense communication between Russian boy and Norwegian girl.

 Vyatcheslav, or Slava, psychology student, volunteered and practiced at the orphanage, and was a good interpreter for us.

 It is necessary to learn to make the famous and tasty Russian pancakes, blinis! 

Jana's beautiful application.

The pancakes are ready! 

We learned to make hearts and ribbon roses. Katja shows us how to do it!

Planting trees!

New playground challenges the boys. Here they can take out some of their energy!

We visited the new neighbouring school, an impressing, well equipped local school for 800 children from 7 to 17. The orphanage benefit from the neighbour as they use the swimmingpool and other facilities.

 Our Elisabeth impressed us by climbing quickly to the top!

The days before Victory Day, which is May 9th, the Baltic fleet and army practiced for the big parade. The sailors were friendly and smiling, and wars of all kinds seemed far away. Nevertheless, Victory day is a demonstration of muscels and power...

In the National Park of Kurskaya Kasa, the long sand tongue that reaches from Kaliningrad to Lithuania, we visited the ornitological station Fringulla, where migrating birds have been ringed for about a hundred years.

In "The dancing wood".

From the sand dunes, the biggest in Europe. View over the lake.

On our way back to Gdansk, we were lucky to get a brief stay in the old town. Like Königsberg, Gdansk was bombed and destroyed 90% during the World War II, but the city has risen from the ashes. Meticulous and patient work with a great sense for details and being true to history, the beautiful Old town tells many stories. It is strange to think about what Kaliningrad could have been... Bresjnev ordered the ruins of Königsberg Castle torn down as it reminded of the Nazis and of Western imperialism...

Now the Kaliningraders take great interest in the story of their region, and take well care of what is left from Königsberg.

Here are some glimpses from Gdansk!

We had a very nice trip, and hopefully new pupils in Lillestrøm high school's IB class will continue the project!

Welcome back!

To Kaliningrad we go!

Soon a new group of enthusiastic pupils from Lillestrøm high school will leave for Kaliningrad! This will be the 15th year, the 15th time, that our IB students spend a week with the children at a Kaliningrad orphanage.
Hopefully we will be able to blog a little report with some photographs to share our experiences with you!

News from Skola Internat no 7

The children and staff at Skola Internat no 7 in Kaliningrad sends their greetings and gratitude to the pupils in Lillestrom high school who participated in collecting money and clorhes etc for them, and for the very pleasant visit in April!
Albina, the school director, tells us how the grant from the Lillestrom 2IB group has been used:
During this summer on money of students we could make much:

- Have bought materials for repair (wall-paper and paint). Teachers and children have made repair in bedrooms.
- Have established the big case in a medical class.
- Have changed furniture (100 %) in a sewing class





- Have changed completely furniture in a class where children learn how to cook.

Now we build on the territory an arbor. Materials are bought, and works are done by children and teachers. It is interesting for everybody. The main thing is children learn to build and protect that have made by their hands.

Have bought the sports equipment (balls, tents) for the organization of campaigns.
- Have bought for our football players sportswear and footwear.
- Have issued a dining room

 Many thanks to all students from Norway. Without your help we couldn't make it! Thanks once again!

Your photo is published in the report of the Ministry of Education of the Kaliningrad region. On September, 1st it was the visit of the Minister of Education in our school. We told about our friends from Norway.


We will be glad to accept your students again! It’s really nice to hear that you continue the project further.



The school has a homesite

Here is a link to Skola Internat no 7!

http://gouskoschool7.ucoz.ru/

Some information about the project: Fleamarket and visa applications!

Fleamarket on Lillestrøm videregående skole Saturday 6th of March 10:00  - 18:00 and Sunday 7th of March  10:00 –16:00.

Fleas can be delivered at school Friday 5th between 15:00 and 21:00.

The invitations from the Russian authorities will be ready early in March, so make sure you have a photograph that meets the rules given December 9th below. As soon as possible after the invitations have arrived, we will apply for visas, so meet in class to fill in the forms and have your money and passport ready!

Bus from Lillestrøm to Nynäshamn, ferry from Nynäshamn to Gdansk, and bus from Gdansk to Kaliningrad is ordered!

Skola Internat no 7 has established a partnership with Kaliningrad Humanitarian College, and their students will be our hosts! Everything seems fine now, so let’s just hope the flea market is a success!

Information concerning the journey!

Most likely we will leave on April 14th at 08.00 from Lillestrøm and return on April 21st in the evening.

We will go by bus from Lillestrøm to Nynäshamn, and then by ferry to Gdansk, and bus again from Gdansk to Kaliningrad. We will arrive in Kaliningrad some time in the afternoon, depending on waiting time spent on the border between Poland and Kaliningrad.

In due time before we go, I need to scan your passports so that we can get invitations from the Russian authorities. LAST DATE for handing in passports: December 15th!

We also need to fill in application forms, which we will do in class in January. Bring a photograph. Below you can see the demands for the applicants concerning passport and photograph from the Russian Consulate:

1.2. Valid national passport (original only and it should have at least two blank pages). It must be valid not less than six months after the expiry date of the visa.

IMPORTANT! Any damage of any page of the Applicant’s passport (especially of the page with a photograph) will result in the rejection of a visa application.

1.3. One recent passport-sized photograph (35 x 45mm) of an Applicant, stapled to the upper right corner of an application form. The photograph must be:

a) of true likeness and not more than 6 months old; showing full face;

b) taken without headgear, head coverings and hats;

c) taken against a plain, evenly lit light background.

Photographs that do not meet these requirements won’t be accepted.

More information will follow!

Visit in April 2010!

In April 2010 a group of about 14 pupils and two teachers from Lillestrøm videregående skole will visit Skola Internat no 7! We plan to leave around 14th of April and return on the 21st. The fundraising has started, cakes have been sold to parents at various parent meetings at school, and to teachers and pupils. Plans are being made for a flea market in March. Knowing that the orphanage Skola Intenat no 7 is in need of quite a few things, it won't be a problem to make use of the gatherings our group will be able to collect. Time flies, and there will be a lot to do! But, as the members of the former groups states repeatedly: It is really worth it! When in Kaliningrad with the kids, you experience that your effort makes a difference!