Good Will Ambassador Anna Kurnikova Launches Youth Project in Yekaterinburg
Good Will Ambassador Anna Kurnikova, accompanied by Consul General Tim Sandusky, launched the humanitarian project “Youth Center” in Yekaterinburg on October 5. The Russian tennis star represents Population Services International (PSI), a non-governmental partner of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Youth Center project promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides information to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and counter drug addiction among disadvantaged youth. The project is financed by the PSI within the framework of its global program on HIV/AIDs prevention among youth – YouthAIDs. Ms. Kurnikova met with students, toured facilities at two participating schools and consulted with educators and program administrators.
The project is being implemented at five vocational schools in Yekaterinburg. The project helps develop recreational facilities at the schools and offers training and consultations on communication, leadership and behavior for students, teachers and social workers. The Youth Centers in Yekaterinburg are based on a model introduced several years ago by USAID and PSI. Similar initiatives are also being implemented in Leningrad and Orenburg oblasts and in Krasnodar.
With PSI funding, the Center for Social Development and Information, in cooperation with the regional ministries of education and health and local anti-AIDS NGOs, established a dormitory for young mothers (15-19 years old), has trained teachers on the prevention of substance abuse among students, and developed a number of social support programs for mentally challenged students in Yekaterinburg. In his remarks at the opening of the project, the Consul General said, “The United States and Russia have a long history of cooperation in combating the spread of AIDS and countering drug abuse. The Youth Centers project is an outstanding example of international cooperation on the global challenge of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention among vulnerable youth.” He thanked those involved with the project for their efforts in delivering life-saving messages to thousands of young people in Russia and throughout the world.
Together with Ms. Kurnikova, the Consul General and American representatives of PSI planted trees on the school grounds to commemorate the project’s opening and celebrate continuation of international activity on promotion of stable and healthy future for the youth.