Ecologia

Supporting Disadvantaged Youth

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Enabling marginalised young people to realise their potential

  • About Us
  • Growing2gether
  • International Projects
  • Support Us
  • Get Involved
  • News
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Articles / Sevenoaks School – Kitezh Youth Exchange

Sevenoaks School – Kitezh Youth Exchange

5 May 2014 Leave a Comment

Sevenoaks School in Kent, UK, visited Kitezh in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and foster children from Kitezh were hosted by Sevenoaks in June 2013.

Sevenoaks School in Kent, UK, visited Kitezh in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and foster children from Kitezh and Orion were hosted by Sevenoaks in June 2013 and 2016.

 

Sevenoaks School to Kitezh

In April 2012, four pupils from one of England’s most well-regarded schools, the Sevenoaks School in Kent, visited Kitezh for the first time with their Russian teacher Jon Drury, to practice their communication skills and get to know Russian culture.

After that successful first visit, Sevenoaks groups have returned to Kitezh every Easter, each time enjoying the richness of community life. Jon writes: “It is an inspiring place. Our pupils lived in families and integrated fully into the quite unique life of the community.

Sevenoaks group 2015cropped

Sevenoaks 2015 visit, including Vardaan (second from left)

There was, of course, plenty of time for fun and laughter, and a physically demanding but hugely rewarding volunteer project, when we helped dismantle the wooden frame of their ‘summer canteen’, which had collapsed under the weight of the winter’s snow. There was a big concert, morning exercises, folk dancing and games, English lessons and plenty of socialising with our hosts. The Kitezhans are some of the friendliest Russians I have met, and we are looking forward to furthering our relationship in the coming years.”

Vardaan Mehra (17) wrote: “Thank you so much for welcoming us with open hearts into your lives. As soon as I stepped off the bus on Sunday I felt at home straight away. It is sad that I have to leave, because I love this place and everyone here. I have never felt more at home in any other place I have been to. Four days is too few to spend here, which is why I want to say that I will do my best to return and stay here for longer, and hopefully there will be old faces and new faces again. I will do all I can to return. But for now all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for such a wonderful time and the lifelong memories that will always stay with me. Kitezh will always be in my heart.”

Watch this short film from Kitezh about volunteering, including a piece by Russian teacher Jon Drury:

Kitezh to Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks - Kitezh Exchange - Kitezh Foster Family

Foster Family from Kitezh on exchange to Sevenoaks, Kent

From 2 June to 10 June 2013 Sevenoaks school hosted four orphans and a foster parent from the village of Kitezh in Russia.

Through a sponsored Santa Run the Sevenoaks Sixth Form Russian group raised the money to fund the Kitezh children’s visit to Sevenoaks.

Part of the ethos of Kitezh is allowing such children to develop and gain confidence through overcoming challenges. There was plenty of scope for this during their stay as they learned how to rock climb in the Sennocke Centre, completed a three hour treetop adventure at ‘Go Ape!’ at Leeds Castle, and overcame their fears of various rides at ‘Thorpe Park’ as they joined a Y10 Physics trip! They also spent time in school, shadowing pupils and helping in Russian classes. Other days were spent in Cambridge, London and Brighton. It was a magical week, that these four young people will never ever forget, and it is certainly something that we hope to repeat in the future.

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Articles, Youth Exchanges Tagged With: 2012, 2013, Kitezh, Sevenoaks, Youth Exchange

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our email news

  • We will never share your email with anyone else.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Statement

Learn Russian at Orion this Summer!

Want to learn Russian but not sure where to go? Ecologia has you covered! After months of discussions and ironing out the kinks, we are pleased to announce that our Russian Language Course is back! Between 27 th June – 22 nd July 2020, you can take part in our Beginner or Intermediate Intensive Russian […]

Latest Ecologia News

  • Learn Russian at Orion this Summer! 12 December 2019

Latest Tweets

  • Missed out on match-funding with the Big Give last week! Not to worry! Paypal is now offering 10% match funding up… https://t.co/ccaN52rLMf Yesterday at 17:00
  • Thank you to everyone who donated in the @BigGive #ChristmasChallenge19 We smashed our target and raised £4,341! Yo… https://t.co/eOh3oBBuWL Yesterday at 12:00
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Make a Donation

How We Spend Your Money!


Aspiring Communities Logo

© 1995–2019 Ecologia Youth Trust, all rights reserved. Ecologia Youth Trust is a Scottish Charity No SC023976.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Child Protection Policy
  • Contact