Page 104 - Book about Friendship and Future.Stories of Volunteers.

Chinara Muzuralieva

KFC Miklukho-Maklaya
Moscow

I had a desire to become a volunteer for quite a long period
of time, but unfortunately, never had time for that because of
my job. Moreover, I had no acquaintances who had ever prac-
ticed volunteering. One day our restaurant got an email from the
leaders of KFC corporate volunteering: they were looking for the
persons willing to communicate with the kids from orphanages.
I thought it was just the issue I had been willing to allocate my
lifetime to, and decided to respond and participate. Since then
I have taken part in numerous volunteer projects and activities.
But I have remembered and kept in my soul the simplest mo-
ments that may seem unremarkable. I will always remember the
visits to the regional boarding schools of our city, joyful and de-
lightful activities, playing with the kids. We came to see the guys
and we just enjoyed sharing our free time, making some souve-
nirs from the fallen autumn leaves, playing football with the boys
outdoors, arranging community cleaning days on the school ter-
ritory, having BBQ’s at the pond and endlessly chit-chatting and
laughing. The kids were so happy when we came to see them.
They tried to share with us as much as possible telling what they
had seen, whom they had met and what skills they had learnt.
The head was spinning, but it was a pleasant feeling.
During these visits not only could I devote my time to the
kids and have classes with them, but I also managed “to shift
the environment”. I suddenly discovered a sightseeing spot in
Almazovo – the school building itself. It is ancient and has a rich
history, it looks just unbelievable from outdoors: high columns,
large windows. And there is a big pond just near the boarding
school. These landscapes have left unforgettable impressions.
I believe that a lot of more simple but important days are to
come, which will remain as bright moments not only in my mem-
ories but in the memories of the kids as well.