Letters to the Editor

To the Editor,

Your expanded March issue was excellent. Articles like the lead on Russian women, which provide historical perspectives on current problems, are especially helpful. The description of Dr. Kriminetskaya’s charitable foundation (and the cooperative program between Savior’s and Magee-Women’s Hospitals noted in the second article) prompted this letter and the suggestion which follows.

In view of the widely publicized corruption among the apparatchiki (and the so-called ‘Russian mafia’), there are grounds for the suspicion that much of Western aid to Russia is diverted to illegal ends. I imagine that many of your readers, like myself, would make at least modest contributions to legitimate Russian charities if they were confident that their donations would reach their destination and be fully used for their intended purposes.

Perhaps you might be able to list a few such charities along with addresses.

Allen F. Chew

Colorado Springs, CO

Dear Randy,

As a US taxpayer, you are already supporting charitable, non-profit, and non-governmental organizations in the former Soviet Union. The first generation of US-funded grants was awarded to partnerships between established US and nascent Russian organizations (the Magee Womancare International program is one of these). The second generation of US-funded grants and technical assistance is now being awarded directly to Russian NGOs with established track records. In both generations of grants, awards criteria and accountability mechanisms have been relatively strictly enforced. For example, most Russian grant recipients are required to provide matching funds. Your private donation to one of these organizations or partnerships (whose activities are continuously monitored by US funders) makes a real, measurable difference.

Unfortunately, Russia still lacks a clearing house for reliable information about charitable foundations and NGOs. However, organizations such World Learning, Inc., and the Eurasia Foundation (both of which work under contract to the US government in administering US aid to Russia) are knowledgeable participants in the non-profit sector not only in Russia, but in the other countries of the former Soviet Union. Using email, you can reach World Learning at [email protected] (attn. Sasha Borovykh). The Eurasia Foundation e-mail address is: [email protected] (attn.: Yuri Dzhibladze, Lena Yartseva, or Melanie Peyser). Both of these organizations are headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Before giving money to a  Russian charitable organization, ask the following questions: 1) Is the organization registered as a non-profit or charitable entity according to Russian law? 2) Does the organization have a Russian bank account? 3) Can the organization point to specific accomplishments in its area of expertise? 4) What is the organization’s decision-making structure (i.e., does it consist of more than one person? 5) What mechanisms for financial accountability exist? Be aware that even experienced Russian charities lack the polished presentation skills of Western charities. Also be aware that your questions may sound inquisitorial to Russians, who are legitimately afraid that information could fall into the wrong hands; mafia heavies have been known to try to squeeze money out of Russian charities.

— Katherine E. Young

To the Editor,

Your article  Loyal Wives, Virtuous Mothers identifies many severe economic challenges confronting women in Russia today. The odds of obtaining employment within an existing enterprise are slim.

The Alliance of Russian and American Women was founded as a non-profit in 1992 to empower women in Russia to beat these odds. ARAW is a bi-national organization that provides training and support to women entrepreneurs in Russia. We operate a volunteer mentoring program in Moscow, pairing Western business people with Russian women.. Our small business incubator and training center in Volkhov houses 12 fledgling companies, of which 60% are to be women-owned. And, in October we are inviting two dozen American business owners to visit Novgorod and share their experience at a conference with 200 women from all over Russia.

The demand is overwhelming for Westerners in Moscow willing to mentor women starting businesses, and for Americans to lead seminars and workshops at the October conference.  We invite anyone interested to contact us at: (USA) [email protected] or (Moscow) [email protected]

Andrea Sengstacken

New York, NY

To the Editor,

In your February issue, I noticed under Letters some dialogue from a reader who wanted to get a pen pal service started. I would like to recommend another organization that I joined six years ago.

I refer to Peace Links, started by Betty Bumpers (wife of the Senator), based in Washington, D.C.. These folks put out a newsletter, Peace Links Connection and Action alerts from time to time. They can be reached at 729, 8th St., S.E., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20003, (202) 544-0805.

David R. Weaver

Visalia, CA