How many benevolent organizations exist in America? Most people have never asked themselves this question. The answer to this question can be given by the "all knowing computer". After a few hours of concentrated work, the computer has opened a wealth of information about benevolent organizations/charities in America, the roster of which occupies a few hundred yards of computer paper. But the future President, the founder of CIS Development Corporation, knew even without a computer, that in America, thousands of benevolent charities/organizations exist. However, amidst all of these thousands of charitable organizations, there is not one that has as its goal the refurbishing of second hand items and the of these items to one of the needy countries in the world - Russia.
I conducted the following interview with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Father George Kallaur, President of C.I.S. Development Foundation, Alexander Bondarev and Director of Informational Technology and Marketing, Vadim Arefiev.
Father George - I was born in America, but consider myself Russian not only by blood, but also in spirit and thought. Our organization began its work with the slogan "Russians for Russia". Prior to the formation of C.I.S., I had taken an active part in sending humanitarian aid to Russia from 1991 - 1993 - food, clothing and medicines, mostly donations from Americans of Russian heritage, Russian Orthodox Parishes in America, several Russian/American benevolent organizations as well as many most kind Fellow Americans of non Russian heritage. While in Russia, I saw many sad scenes - the hungry look of children, some of whom were physically handicapped, blind, in childrens' homes that are not even minimally equipped, unsanitary conditions in hospitals and homes. Those who have Faith can live through this chaotic nightmare better than those who have not yet come to Faith in God. Our organization wishes to help out our people in Russia who are in dire economic and social straights, by sending them non - monetary help.
Vadim Arefiev - Allow me to clarify Father George's words. The main characteristic of our benevolent work is that we aim to systematically collect here, in America, that which is considered outdated or for any other reason is considered to be unusable, but that can still be used in Russia and other Republics of the C.I.S. For example, in America, there is no more practical use for I.B.M. model XT, AT286, etc. In Russia, though, these computers could serve well in Russian Schools, Institutes and other academic structures, the computer hardware of which leave a lot to be desired. The same may be said about other types of everyday technology and office equipment.
Alexander Bondarev - Our main principle in assisting the peoples and benevolent/social organizations of the C.I.S. (not only Russia) consists in collaboration with the people in the realm of technical and technological advancement of these countries. Notwithstanding the fact that Russia has reached impressive tehnological heights in areas such as military, aviation and space technologies, it is far behind America in areas such as consumer and office technology. We therefore wish to give a second life to those goods which Russia is in dire need of but in America are piling up in garages, taking up much needed space and just waiting to be thrown into the junkpile. In other words, we wish to send to the C.I.S. not monetary aid or foodstuffs, but goods and services which will soon aid the recipients in themselves creating like goods and services in the C.I.S. We wish not to feed, but to help in creating food; not to clothe, but to help in the production of clothing.
Here I, the purposefully skeptical author of this article step in, since my dear friends are drunk with the idea. My goal - is to see, to feel out - how solid is the ground under their feet - are they not "up in the clouds"?
Gentlemen, I recently received an old computer as a gift. Happily, I found a kind person who breathed a new life into it and who taught me how to use the computer. Let's say that tomorrow people will bring you thousands of these computers and you will send them all to Russia and other C.I.S. republics. Who will perform necessary repairs and train people on the use of such computers or do you think that there are enough qualified people over there?
Alexander Bondarev - Allow me to answer your question. Firstly, in accordance with the structure of our organization and the principles of our action plan, donations of goods are accepted by designated regional representatives in America and undergo their full cycle of refurbishment here, in America. Only after this are the goods sent to the C.I.S. and are distributed amongst the needy. As you can see, we do not plan to send to the C.I.S. any goods not already ready for use, which cancels any question about utility. As to the pool of professionals in Russia, to those of us from Russia, this is a moot point. It is known that the current army of American programmers consists of, in part, a growing contingent of émigrés from the C.I.S. Russia, since days of old, has been known for its pool of scholars, inventors and just brainy people. The only ingredient missing is the newest consumer technology and modern labor/production methodology. It is specifically towards the alleviation of this problem that our aid is primarily aimed at.
For me, the author of this article, it is difficult to argue with what has been said by Alexander Bondarev, especially since he holds a Doctorate in Technical Sciences - Metallurgy, is an author of many erudite works, publications and 53 patents in the field of metallurgy. But, I still wish to know, on what means does C.I.S. plan to function on, since the refurbishing, packing and transporting of these goods requires considerable financial resources.
Alexander Bondarev - As I had already pointed out, we do not plan to collect monetary donations in America. But the funds necessary for operations will come from business operations and monetary donations from companies and wealthy citizens of the C.I.S.. Most of our Board of Directors and laborers are, thus far, volunteers. As to specialized work, we will, on an as-needed basis, invite outside independent contractors to perform certain tasks. This may add jobs to our locality and will be good both for America and the C.I.S.
Father George - We live in the general environs of New Brunswick in New Jersey, where there is a sizable Russian community - both old and new émigrés. We already have been able to interest many new émigrés from Russia in our organization. By "Russian", I am referring to those who have roots from the former, pre - revolutionary Russia, for whom the well being of their land or the land of their forefathers is very dear and important. Our dear homeland or the homeland of our forefathers is before a crossroads, and NOW, like never before, they need our help. The future is in the hands of God, but the path that Russia takes now will undoubtedly effect the paths of many a nation/people. To help them during these times of trials is our holy obligation.
Alexander Bondarev - Communism left as its terrible after - effect a wounded and crippled soul.. It was crippled by the lack of natural stimuli for the production of material and spiritual priorities. Notwithstanding the rich possibilities for the creation of new priorities, the will of many Russians is paralyzed by the not yet defunct utopian ideas of communism.
Father George - Exactly. This all penetrating ideology did not only, for over 70 years, stomp upon the true principles of Love, Faith and Good, of millions of people, but also, Spirituality. We truly hope that our endeavors will help many people find all of this, especially because these are the necessary stimuli that our people need, about which the President of our Fund spoke about.
Alexander Bondarev - Having recently been in Russia, I became convinced that only a small part of the Russian population is capable of honest and creative work. It is for this reason that we have chosen such a complicated path of assisting the republics of the C.I.S.. We wish not to give Russia presents, which many correctly characterize as hand outs, which more readily demoralize, rather than help people. What we wish to do is to "gift" to our suffering people first rate experience about the production of material goods from such a highly developed country as America. In the beginnings of our endeavors, we plan to share office and everyday consumer technology with nursery schools, schools, institutes of higher education, hospitals, old age homes as well as individual private needy citizens. In the future, we plan to offer technical and technological assistance to medium sized and smaller firms, mainly, which specialize in the field of the manufacture of textile, food and electrotechnical goods.
In other words, in the beginning stages, you, as I understand, will take part in the distribution of donated non monetary goods? How will this work, technically?
Alexander Bondarev - Yes, will take part in the distribution of goods only in the beginning stages. When the mechanism of distribution of aid will begin working methodically, we will not take part in the distribution of material goods in the C.I.S. Our colleagues in Russia will do this. By this I am referring to Russian benevolent organizations, through whom we will funnel our American donations. We will, though, be controlling and checking the final distribution of goods.
Vadim, you are the Director of informational Technology and Marketing, yet I know that you, by education, are a biologist. You explain why C.I.S. Development entrusted to you your current post?
Vadim Arefiev - All these years spent by me in biological laboratories allowed me to become involved in the deeply technical side of experimentation - biological statistical database and program support of analysis techniques. The life of C.I.S. Development is unthinkable without computer support database at the highest level of informational technology. Besides, we plan to appeal for help/support from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and universities, with a request for donations of old and perhaps outdated equipment and supplies. Here, I believe, I will be able to use some of my knowledge and experience.
My dear executives, during the course of our conversation, more that once underlined that they wish to interest as many enthusiasts as possible from all states and that they have broad strategic ties with benevolent organizations in Russia...and I thought - these fellows are not "in the clouds", but have a solid foundation under their feet.
I would also like to bring to the attention of our dear readers the following. Charitable acts are supported by the government in the United States. I don't think that this fact in any way lowers the respectability of benevolence. According to the tax laws of our country, one can lessen his taxable income in an amount equal to the dollar value of his/her donation to a tax exempt organization such as C.I.S. Development Foundation (C.I.S.D.F.) This type of status is not given to all benevolent organizations, which one more time underscores the fact of governmental support for C.I.S's cause.
I would not wish to end my article at this point yet. The young officers of this benevolent organization do not plan to limit their activity to what I have already mentioned. They also have a serious cultural activity program, the height of which would to be to organize, in New Jersey, a Center of Russian Culture. More immediate plans of C.I.S.D.F. are a classical music concert on August 6, 1995 at Westminster Concert Hall in Princeton, featuring the works of Shostakovich, Chopin and Beethoven, presented by a truly delightful duet - Irene (piano) and Andrei (cello) Chemazov.
On September 23 and 24, 1995, C.I.S.D.F. plans to stage a Russian Art Exhibition. This event will coincide with the Russian Orthodox Church's Celebration of the Seven Hundredth Anniversary of the finding of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God at the Kursk Root Icon Hermitage in Mahopac, New York. Here, in an atmosphere of old Russia, including traditional Russian foods and drink, one may purchase these excellent pieces of art, painted by contemporary Russian masters for anywhere from between $100 - $300, which is a substantial discount from the original suggested asking prices. All this will go to support C.I.S.D.F.'s activities. The organization also intends to publish a periodical, in which will be announcements of upcoming cultural events and news of the activities of C.I.S.D.F..
Let us wish full success and growth to the new company, since Russia and all the other Republics of the C.I.S. so strongly await the commencement of their activities. All who wish to take part in and or support C.I.S.D.F. may contact its office at:
C.I.S. Development Foundation, Inc.
77 Milltown Rd., Suite 8c, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, USA
Tel: (732) 432-7037, Fax: (732) 432-7034
E-mail: cisdf@cisdf.org