St Petersburg Orphanages – the story so far…

In 2002, COINS and associated companies Total Objects and OASIS instigated a series of activities to help improve living standards of the Pushkin Orphanage in St Petersburg. 

For a long time COINS has realised the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and in particular, giving back to the communities in which they do business.  With an office in St Petersburg where they employ the services of ten Progress developers who have made a large contribution to COINS software development, COINS were keen to make a difference in the community here as well as at home.

A very simple but effective programme was initiated: employees donated good quality children’s clothes, and along with customers, travelled with the bags of clothes to the development centre in St Petersburg for direct delivery to the orphanages.

Linda Snellings, receptionist at COINS, sorts and packs all the clothes ready for transportation to the orphanage.  She has visited the orphans and says:

“It was truly lovely to see that the donations we made have really benefited the children – the fact that these kids were able to get out more and enter competitions (on one occasion winning second prize) has really boosted their confidence and outlook on life.”

Funds were later donated to the orphanage by the three companies to improve basic requirements and sanitation.
 
This donation sparked a reaction from the local Pushkin government who was not to be outdone by companies abroad. They decided to give the orphanage $300,000 for a full renovation project (this project is now complete).

Since then, through the introduction of a sponsorship programme, more funds have been raised.  A highlight for the children has been a provision of a bus from the sponsorship fund (“The Besso Bus” - named after a Total Objects client who largely funded it), which is used for field trips and special events.  It has enabled the children to take part in various dance and music competitions, areas that they are highly gifted in.
 
A new IT programme has also been started for the Pushkin Orphanage as well as several other orphanages in St Petersburg.  The orphanages now have an IT network installed on their premises and employees from the development centre work with the children to improve their IT skills.

“Who would have thought that something as easy as donating clothes and something as little effort as travelling with extra bags to St Petersburg would instigate such lasting changes?” says Jim Barry, Managing Director of Total Objects.

A number of COINS keys clients have been involved with the project, from carrying a bag of clothes on a business trip to the development centre in St Petersburg, to committing funds to the sponsorship programme.

Among these is Stephen Casey, Managing Director of Fairview, who concludes: 
“It is great to see companies like COINS lead by example with their corporate social responsibility and care for others who are less fortunate.  It is proof of how a little effort from us can really change people’s lives.”

COINS Clients who have been/and are involved with the project include:

Fairview New Homes
Haymills
Martin Grant Homes
Curzon
Laing Homes
Geoffery Osborne
McInerney

If you would like to get involved with the project or make a donation, please contact margaret.jeffries@coins-global.com