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From Irina Androsova (2004 translator, 2006 photo above) -Привет, Джон! Высылаю Вам свои фотографии, сделанные в апреле этого года, 2006.
Удачи Вам и всего самого наилучшего!!!
“The Amerus Exchange program gives a unique opportunity to communicate with native speakers from all over the world. It helps countries to exchange theirs experiences on the development of democracy. Such programs as the Amerus Exchange are of great importance nowadays; they are important in informing both national and international laws. In literature, it is often said that human rights play an important role in process of becoming a “whole” person. The understanding of the person and his rights have also had concrete historical significance throughout history. Participation in the Amerus Exchange program will give participants a chance to get valuable experience in democracy and in the ways in which democracy can be developed.”
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From Prof. Albert R. Baca, Emeritus (2006) -”In the spring of 2005 I, Prof. Albert R. Baca (CSU-Northridge), along with two other retired faculty from the California State University System, Prof. Rita Jones (CSU-Long Beach) and Prof. Arthur Sutton (CSU-Pomona), joined a group from Amerus, Ltd., that was going to Kursk, Russia. In previous years, members of the California State University Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (CSU-ERFA), had made several trips to Perm, Russia, where we gave lectures and made presentations at the Perm State Medical Academy and the Perm State Technical University. In 2005, however, because of the lack of a sufficiently large group to go to Perm, the three of us who did want to go to Russia met Jack McGurgan’s group in Kursk and gave our presentations at the Regional Open Social Institute (ROSI) there.
We Californians were very impressed with the ties that Amerus had established with ROSI. The superb organization of the visit was truly a marvel, both on the part of the New York delegation and the ROSI administration. All of the presentations at ROSI went smoothly and the visits to local schools, elementary through secondary, and to a children’s hospital where the New Yorkers gave gifts to the patients in the cancer ward, impressed and touched us deeply. Amerus has created and organized a people-to-people project that has done so much to bring ordinary (or not so ordinary!) people from Russia and the U.S.A. together, thereby taking a big step in fostering peaceful and friendly relations between two former Cold War adversaries.”From Jamie M. Waters (2006) – “I have never participated in any exchanges, but I have heard tales and I have seen beautiful pictures of their travels. I’ve shared these photos and stories with my 10-year old son. It is a treat for him and I to see what another country has and/or does. I look forward to the emails telling of all the tales. I think it is a “fabulous” idea and the folks involved are “unique”! Keep up the good work!”
- From Fred P. Garavelli (2006) - “My trip to Russia in the spring of 2006 was an eye-opening experience for me. Instead of being confronted with pre-conceived notions of what Russian people are like, I was welcomed to a community with open arms and minds. My host family in Kursk saw to my every need, and was very interested in my American experiences, along with an interest in our American Civil War! The more I got to understand my hosts I knew we were more alike than different. They have the same daily concerns as us: raising a family, putting food on the table, and educational issues. To my host family: Luba, Nikolai and Galina, a heartfelt than you for opening your home and hearts to me.”
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From Darlene Cardillo (2002) – “RUSSIA VISIT: Teachers get royal treatment in exchange” (in The Evangelist)
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From Jack McGurgan (2002) – “American goes home to Russia” (in The Evangelist)
- From Michael and Dolores Beirne (1998)- “Our trip, Chatham Educators for Democracy in Russia in April/1998, exposed us to many distinct yet related experiences. Paramount was the universal need of people to communicate and our common goals in education. The fondest and strongest memories were of the Russian people, keeping in mind, we were members of the generation that were taught– even forced to learn– that the Russian people wanted to destroy the American people. The Russians we met were warm, friendly, very generous and eager for new educational techniques. We met Russians in their homes and in their schools. The constant theme was: we are happy you are here; what can we do for you; let’s share educational experiences, and most important, let’s hope we can live in peace. One striking lesson learned by both Russians and Americans was talking and hugging for a few minutes washed away all the years of war-like propaganda from both our governments. Let’s keep sharing our hopes and dreams and our common desire for a peaceful world.”
- From Jack McGurgan (1998) – “Teacher’s classroom runs from Rensselaer to Russia” (in The Evangelist)
- From Sue Merrill (1994) - “The time that comes immediately to mind is having a teacher in my math workshop in Moscow who lived summers at the Russian Embassy in Glen Cove on Long Island. Her father was employed at the Russian Embassy in NYC. She got very excited when I spoke about where I grew up, and insisted through a translator that we as children might have met on the street. She had no idea how imposing the Russian presence was here at that time, and that there was very little possibility of us ever meeting. I think we were all a little nervous about going, but came home with a real appreciation of the Russian people.”
- 1993 – Communist Fall Leaves Russian Teachers Without Moral Authority
- 1993 – Chatham Principal Heads To Moscow
