My name is Olga Shishkina,
25 years old, born in Petrozavodsk, Russia.
In April 2005 I had a great chance to meet the founder of the FIOH Fund
Mike Thomas and his wife, Glen.
I was not only hosted
in their house with the most hospitability, but this trip to England
was a very important stage for my educational and personal development.
Having already a Master degree in History and English, in September
2004 I started the Master programme in Aalborg University in "Development
and International Relations". Looking for a place for a future
traineeship, I was lucky to get in touch with FIOH and Mike Thomas.
My first acquaintance
with FIOH ideas was through the web site and getting interested I started
corresponding with Mike who was always eager to answer and discuss the
topics concerning development, poverty and modern world in general.
Studying at Aalborg
University we had great lectures and seminars on the theories of development
and international relations, but what I felt missing is talking to and
learning from people who are personally and not only theoretically,
involved in development, who devote their lives for bringing peace,
happiness and hope for people living in poverty. Those who are trying
to make a change by personal activities. These people I found in FIOH.
Having spent almost a week in Mike's hospitable home, I enjoyed not
only the great cooking of Glen, but exciting talks with Mike and Glen
about the work done by them in India and Africa. That was a very fascinating
and opening eyes experience. We discussed a lot of issues: how the people's
consciousness should be changed, what is needed to be done for it.
Moreover, I had a great chance to meet people who support these ideas.
These are the people with, how we say it in Russia are "with burning
eyes", eyes shining with enthusiasm, kindness and hope for a change!
Meeting with Mike
was a changing point for my education. Before I was so much into theories
and methodology, but after meeting with FIOH and its members I got interested
in volunteering work. I took it as a great chance not only for applying
my theoretical knowledge, but also for my personal involvement in development.
Now I am a volunteer in two organizations in Lithuania, "Gabija"
- an NGO working with and for elderly people against age discrimination,
loneliness and social exclusion, and "Children Educational Fund
Rafaelis" working with children from socially-problematic families
of alcohol and drug-abusers.
I am very grateful
to Mike Thomas, Glen and all the members of FIOH for the work they do
and for letting me see this work and thus changing my personal involvement
and ideas about development and modern world.
