The Synodal Department for charity has opened reception of applications for the competition, aimed at supporting initiatives in the areas of abortion prevention and the organization of care for pregnant women and mothers with children in difficult situations, reports Diakoniai. The competition will be allocated 38 million rubles, collected in the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the children’s Day in 2018 in all Russian churches.
“Every year the number of performed abortions in Russia is falling, but this figure is still terrible. The large number of abortions could not happen if the woman in a situation of choice, on time support and assistance, – said the head of the protection of maternity of the Synodal Department for charity Maria studenikina. – We hope that thanks to our competition in each region of Russia will be the Church projects for the prevention of abortion and support mothers with children. If such projects already exist, competition will expand.”
The winners will be able to get to 450 thousand rubles for the purchase of equipment for the counseling office, furniture and things for center for humanitarian assistance or shelter, payroll specialists, etc. Detailed information and the competition regulations published on the official website of the Synodal Department for charity. To participate in the contest is open to Orthodox religious organizations and NGOs, created with the participation of the Church or with the blessing of the ruling Bishop to carry out their activities. Applications in the competition are accepted till 26 Nov 2018.
The fundraiser, held with the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill of June 3, 2018, for the second time in recent years nationwide fundraiser to help women in a crisis situation. At the end of the previous collection in 2016 of the Synodal Department for charity have organised an open competition, which was created 100 new Church humanitarian aid in 89 dioceses. They pregnant women and women with children in crisis can get free Cribs, strollers, hygiene products, clothes for yourself and baby.
Today, with the participation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia, created 57 shelters for pregnant women and women with children, 56 of them appeared over the last 7 years. Also in Russia there are over 160 Church humanitarian aid, 100 of them were created over the past 2 years.