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Jim Edie – Youth
and Development Officer
Employed by Love Russia to work
with Schools, Colleges, Youth Groups, Churches and
Universities; Jim spends most of his time travelling
the UK taking assemblies, getting involved with lessons
or giving talks to students and the 18 to 30 age range,
trying to raise the awareness of Russia’s forgotten children, that’s when
he’s not out in Russia getting stuck into the work
himself.
Jim initially got involved in Love Russia as a result
of his own love for travel and exploration of new places
and countries. Having worked with youth for many
years as a climbing instructor and summer school leader
he decided to spend some time working out in Moscow with
orphans and street children, visiting projects that Love
Russia supports, going in and spending time with the
children playing and trying to communicate with his limited
Russian.
“Something that quickly hit me when I first arrived in Moscow in 2002
was the type of poverty people were dealing with. I’d done voluntary
work, travelled and climbed in many countries around the world, parts of Africa,
Nepal, and Chile to name a few, all of which are seen as developing nations,
some with huge problems, but Russia was different. The poverty in Russia
struck me as something sinister or even ‘dark’. The problems
are often hidden away from view, especially when unwanted children are involved. Therefore
the opportunity to make a difference has been a real privilege.”There
are huge challenges in Russia that Love Russia is trying to improve working
in the thick of it with those that make the decisions about
these children’s
lives. “If you feel your young adult,
school, youth group or university should hear more ….. I
challenge you to get involved!”
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ALEX COOKE– CEO & International
Director
As a young man Alex worked within
the Formula One motor racing industry developing and
building racing cars. Eventually he turned to rallying
and became an international rally driver. He is married
to Jacqui, who works alongside him at Love Russia.
They have four married sons and a son who died as a
teenager. Both really enjoy spending time with their
grandsons, Sam and Ryan.
Years of travelling across the globe have given Alex
an appreciation of the inequalities of life throughout
the world and with the support of Jacqui he was pleased
to take on the challenge of developing the work of a
small Christian charity, Love Russia, seven years ago.
Since then the charity has trebled in size and has a
significant impact on the lives of the three thousand
plus children housed in supported projects. Alex travels
to Russia every six weeks to monitor the projects, check
that money previously given has been correctly spent
and to provide “drip-feed” funding for the
next six weeks. Alex has developed a “50/50” model
of funding with the relevant authorities, which together
with receipts and photographic evidence, is key to the
high level of accountability and trust that the charity
receives in Russia. Although the work has grown enormously
in the past seven years Love Russia only employs three
full-time and three part-time members of staff in the
UK – a remarkable achievement.
In between trips to Russia Alex spends much of his time
visiting Rotary and other groups and churches to give
talks and multimedia presentations about the work in
Russia throughout the week and is in great demand for
Sunday services. The development of Love Russia Summer
Camps, six in 2007, and Challenge Projects is the fulfilment
of a vision to show the love of Jesus to the children
in a fun way.
Alex’s diary fills quickly as many groups want
him to return time and again so if you would like him
to come and speak to your group you will need to book
him well in advance.
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