Here we are!

Just a few glimpses from our first day in Kaliningrad and Skola Internat no 7. We arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon and settled in our various homes, and met this morning (Monday 22.4.) to have a look around the orphanage and to see what has been done. We also participated in "Master classes" and learned to make beautiful items by our hands, and we visited the zoo together with a group of children. The spring has arrived, it was sunny and warm, and we had a great day!

Patience and accuracy is needed, and this boy has got it! A great picture of two pandas is coming to life between his fingers.

Albina told us what had been done, Maxim translated and we listended.

 Deep concentration.

 Trying to copy these beautiful matrjoskas, step by step.

 Very proud of our craftsmanship!

 Russian and LSK matrjoskas...

We had to have an icecream, of course!

Letter from Skola Internat no 7

We had a letter from Skola Internat no 7 that I want to share with you!

"I want to share with you our small pleasures. With help of money resources of your students we have repaired and equipped with furniture a sewing office (second), modernized an office of socially household orientation where children can study the theory of conducting housekeeping.


Our children (8 football players) have been invited to competitions on minifootball «On the Cup of the President of the Russian Federation» in Sochi. They travelled by the plane. Children worried and afraid to fly by the plane because it was their first life experience. It was amusing to observe them. They have received the grant from your students on personal expenses in a way to competitions and in Sochi.

Our children won "silver" in this competitions! They have won teams from Astrakhan, Khanty-Mansiysk, Norilsk and Moscow Region. But in the ending, has battled with school from Moscow. At the 0:0 the victory was defined by a penalty series.

Certainly, we were upset a little. But, nevertheless, the second place at competitions of such level - excellent result! We congratulate our children! I send you pictures of our young football players in our school and in airport before departure.




We saw the information of students on our joint project on the Internet. Interesting and good photos. All of us remember your arrival and time that we spent together! It was bright event for all of us.

What about your plans for the future?

Greetings to your colleagues and students from all of us."

Now they are waiting for our return, which will be in April 2012!

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/