On June 8, two new Schools Under the Sky welcomed their very first students - one in Uganda and the other in Madagascar. Thanks to the support of a member of the One Life Charitable Foundation Association, there are now three Schools Under the Sky providing free education to children from the most disadvantaged families.

Today, 30 children are enrolled in the school in Uganda, while 20 children attend classes in Madagascar. Lessons are held under specially constructed shelters that protect students from the scorching sun and heavy rain. In Uganda, where the rainy season has already begun, some classes have been temporarily moved to the Children's Rescue Center to ensure that learning continues without interruption.

Special attention was given to preparing educational materials. In Uganda, the school's principal and teacher personally created large, hand-drawn teaching posters for the students. These visual learning tools make lessons more engaging, accessible, and easier for children to understand.

The new Schools Under the Sky are opening the door to something many of these children have never had before - a chance to learn on a regular basis, build knowledge, and create a brighter future.

Saturday, July 11, 2026, marks a very special occasion—the 11th anniversary of the St. Euphrosyne of Moscow Children's Shelter. For many years, this shelter has been a cherished partner of our Foundation, and we are proud to support its mission in every possible way.

For more than a decade, this home has provided children with love, safety, stability, and the opportunity to build happy childhood memories. Throughout these years, we have been fortunate to stand alongside our dedicated friends and supporters—people whose kindness helps these children grow, learn, dream, and simply enjoy being children.

We warmly invite our friends and supporters to celebrate this special day together with the children and the shelter's team. Your presence will be the greatest gift the children could receive. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to meet the children, the dedicated staff, and everyone united by a shared commitment to giving every child a brighter future.

The celebration will feature children's performances, a festive meal, a warm family atmosphere, and meaningful conversations with people who care deeply about making a difference.

Bring your family, invite your friends and colleagues, and celebrate with us. We would be delighted to welcome you at:

St. Euphrosyne of Moscow Children's Shelter
8 Lazareva Street, Kolomna, Moscow Region, Russia
If you have any questions, please contact the shelter's Director, Elena Iskorostinskaya, at +7 (983) 146-03-05.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
3:00 PM

Our Association works closely with mothers who have found themselves in desperate circumstances. Their struggles are rarely the result of poor choices alone. More often, they stem from serious illness, homelessness, addiction, overwhelming debt, or other life crises that have left them with nowhere to turn.

Many of these mothers and their children are referred to temporary shelters or crisis centers. While these facilities provide emergency accommodation, they often cannot offer the comprehensive support families need. Mothers are left to face their challenges alone, with little opportunity to rebuild their lives while struggling simply to survive.

Our approach is different.

Children are welcomed into one of our shelters, where they receive nutritious meals, education, emotional support, and care from experienced psychologists and dedicated staff. At the same time, their mothers are given something equally important—time and support to find employment, address personal challenges, and regain stability.

The most important condition is that mothers remain actively involved in their children's lives. Whenever possible, they spend time together—not as visitors, but as an essential part of the child's everyday life.

This approach changes lives.

One mother now works at the shelter as an assistant caregiver. Another prepares meals in the kitchen, serving every child with warmth and care—not because it is her job, but because it allows her to be close to the children every single day.

The name of this initiative came naturally: "Mom Is Here." Our goal is simple—to help mothers and their children reunite as quickly as possible and return to a safe, stable, and independent life together.

Not every mother is ready to take that first step. Some refuse help at first. Some struggle to believe that change is possible, even for the sake of their children. But with patience, trust, and ongoing support, hope begins to grow. It may take time—but it comes.

In Burundi, one of the three poorest countries in the world, hundreds of children grow up in conditions that are difficult to imagine. Their parents work tirelessly just to provide enough food for the family. Many homes have no running water or electricity, and children often search through rubbish dumps simply to find something to eat. Illiteracy remains widespread, and until recently, many of these children had little or no opportunity to receive an education.

Today, that is beginning to change.

With the support of our Association, a School Under the Sky is now providing free education to children in Burundi.

Thirty children of different ages currently attend classes every day. Here, they do much more than learn to read and write. They play, build friendships, and discover a safe place where they are encouraged to dream about the future. During breaks, every child receives a nutritious snack—often the only proper meal they will have that day. Most importantly, the children know that they matter. They are eager to learn, and attendance is remarkably high because they truly want to be there.

Today, we are looking for compassionate people willing to become sponsors for the children attending our School Under the Sky. It costs just 3,250 Russian rubles (approximately US$45) per month to support one child. This covers education, health insurance, and a daily snack between lessons.

If you feel inspired to make a difference, we invite you to join us. Your support can give a child not only an education, but also hope, stability, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

The One Life Charitable Foundation, led by its Executive Director Ekaterina Mashina, has been recognized at the Power of Influence Forum, receiving the award in the category "For Outstanding Contribution to Protecting Children's Lives and Advancing Family-Based Care."

This award recognizes the Foundation's many years of dedicated work supporting children in difficult life circumstances, strengthening families, and developing programs that help every child grow up in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment.

Our Association is proud to work alongside the One Life Charitable Foundation, combining our efforts to protect vulnerable children, support families in crisis, and create opportunities for every child to experience the security, care, and stability they deserve.

We warmly congratulate Ekaterina Mashina and the entire Foundation team on this well-deserved recognition. The award is a testament to their professionalism, unwavering commitment, and the remarkable work they carry out every day to transform children's lives for the better.