Pokrovskoye, Urals, Russia - As part of the "City Helps Village" program, a summer volunteer camp was organized in the Pokrovskoye village in the Sverdlovsk region of the Ural Mountains from August 1 to 16. There were a variety of activities. Young volunteers from Yekaterinburg and Kurgan reconstructed two playgrounds for children. At the same time, several women from Yekaterinburg met with senior residents of the village as part of an ethnographic expedition.

Pokrovskoye is one of the oldest villages in the Sverdlovsk region, with an interesting and eventful history. Talks with the inhabitants of the village and learning about handicrafts popular in this area gave the young volunteers opportunities to know more about the rich heritage of the Ural culture. Another feature of the project was programs for children and teenagers prepared through the joint efforts of teachers from Pokrovskoye and Yekaterinburg.

The project was interesting and successful thanks to the joint efforts of organizers, the Ural branch of the Universal Peace Federation and the Youth Federation for World Peace, with the support of the village administration and the Veterans’ Council. The efforts of enthusiastic local citizens and volunteers who helped organize and carry out the project were much appreciated. 

On August 8, there was a concert in the Center of Culture. The villagers demonstrated their talents for the enjoyment of their new friends. Also, there was an exhibition of antiques.

About 30 volunteers from Yekaterinburg, Kurgan, Serov, and Pokrovskoye took part in the project, which was coordinated by Tatyana Turchaninova and Natalia Yerofeyeva.

Another project is being planned for the summer of 2010. It will include a Youth Volunteer Forum, bringing together volunteers from throughout Russia and local young people. Offers and ideas have been received about how to organize such a forum.