Charitable Foundation for the Education of Orphans “Big Change”
Creation of the inclusive center “Big Change” based on the settlement “Family Fairy Tale” in the Novosibirsk region
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
The project aims to assist children with experience of orphanhood in overcoming learning difficulties, fostering self-education skills, motivation, and interest in academic pursuits. The project is founded on the expertise of experienced teachers who design individualized programs tailored to each child’s unique situation and needs, as well as parental requests. This collaborative effort helps children fill knowledge gaps and develop new skills without losing their enthusiasm for learning.
A large portion of the project is being implemented at the Family Fairy Tale settlement in Novosibirsk Oblast, where about 60 large families reside, raising 300 children, including around 20 foster children.
The project plans to establish an inclusive center offering both school curriculum and supplementary classes such as chess, art, and music for children, along with seminars and consultations for parents.
The project also emphasizes the training of specialists. Methodological materials are being developed in Moscow for transfer to Novosibirsk. Specialists from the Big Change Foundation plan to closely collaborate with regional colleagues, providing consultations, webinars, and supervision for Novosibirsk experts.
Relevance
The rate of children returning to institutional care is alarmingly high. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of children returned to orphanages nearly doubled – from 8 out of every 100 placed in families in 2014 to 14 by 2019. One contributing factor is the lack of support in education.
Poor academic performance and school-related challenges are often cited as reasons for children being returned to orphanages.
The issue of educating children with disabilities remains particularly pressing. Although the state is attempting to implement inclusive education in schools, these initiatives are far from being realized across the board. Schools often lack the training and resources to adequately support vulnerable children, and teachers are rarely offered professional development in this area. Furthermore, specialized teaching materials on psychology and interactions with children who have lived in orphanages are often unavailable.
The challenges of distance learning during the pandemic have only worsened the situation. While nearly all children in Russia have faced academic difficulties, these challenges have been greatly amplified for large families, particularly those living in rural areas. Parents, even during more stable times, often struggle to find the time or means to bring their children to additional classes in the city. The isolation brought on by the pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges, worsening already dire statistics.
This is why support for foster families and large families, particularly in educational matters, is more crucial than ever.
Social effect
The project aims to improve academic performance among children with experiences of orphanhood in the Novosibirsk Region.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
The project results were evaluated based on participant feedback, questionnaires, and observations from specialists. Early into the project, the organizers realized that focusing solely on foster children wasn’t enough – many biological children from large families also needed urgent support. All planned activities were successfully implemented, including the following:
- 3 new specialists were trained. The Foundation’s educators organized 3 practical seminars (online) and face-to-face working meetings to share experience. Educators from Novosibirsk learned key methodologies, including conducting initial interviews, identifying needs, performing diagnostics, and developing Individual Educational Plans in collaboration with parents.
- During the summer, an inclusive camp was held for children from the Family Fairy Tale settlement and nearby villages. Over 70 children participated.
- Over a span of 3 months, more than 220 classes were conducted across various subjects, such as a toy library, animation, handicrafts, ceramics, drawing, makeup, and more.
The project achieved all its primary goals: there were noticeable improvements in the quality of education and socialization of vulnerable children, increased confidence in foster children and children with disabilities regarding their school knowledge, and enhanced child-parent relationships within families. Moreover, the project contributed to the professional development of specialists in the Novosibirsk region, laying the groundwork for further project expansion. The teachers and specialists successfully tested the training and methodology transfer system, creating an opportunity to open regional branches.
Project progress after CSS funding
The project will continue after the conclusion of the budget funding. To support this and other projects of the Big Change Foundation, an Endowment Fund was established in 2013. The project team has developed strong relationships with sponsors, including major private donors. Many of them are eager to back the development of regional projects and scale them further. Additionally, efforts will continue to attract new donors and organizations to engage in philanthropy.
During a meeting on March 19, 2021, between the head of the Foundation, I.P. Ryazanova, and the Deputy Minister of Social Policy of the Novosibirsk Region, O.R. Potapova, an agreement was reached to support the project and provide rent-free premises for classes (a written agreement is currently being finalized).
