Service UPF

Zugdidi, Georgia - A Religious Youth Service project July 20-28 in western Georgia's historic province of Samegrelo will include renovating the social center, doing ecological activities, visiting places of worship of various religions, participating in character education activities, and competing in sport programs. There will be memorable opportunities for international participants to do sightseeing, enjoy fun activities, and go on cultural visits.

The long-awaited Spring Week of Goodness under the motto "We are creating our future together!" was launched in Russia on April 20. Each year there is a growing number of people wishing to participate in cleaning streets and parks, planting trees, giving charity concerts, assisting children and war veterans, and taking part in sports activities. Each year, UPF and the Young Ambassadors for Peace organize various events during Russia's Spring Week of Goodness. This year events took place in Moscow and Novosibirsk.

Kathmandu, Nepal - The International Cultural Educational Foundation (ICEF) of Taiwan and Nepal along with UPF-Nepal jointly organized free medical service programs in Nepal on the theme “Health Is Happiness” held March 12-15 in two cities with more than 1,500 people being given free medical services.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - “I came to Argentina with one question: Where does my value come from?” said David Albuquerque when he began his reflection on the different community services that the Generation Peace Academy youth developed in the country beginning January 17.

Lima, Peru - On December 22 a group of Young Ambassadors for Peace visited an old people’s hospital in Lima to bring them some Christmas cheer. Following on from weeks of preparations, planning, practicing songs and sketches and soliciting donations for the patients Christmas party the day finally arrived and they could bring some joy and happiness into the lives of these people who have been basically forgotten by society.

Moscow, Russia - On International Volunteer Day, December 5, an online roundtable brought together volunteer organizers from Russia (Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Nizhnevartovsk), Austria (Vienna), and Israel (Holon). The theme of the conference was "The Development of Youth Volunteer Projects." One of the tasks of the roundtable was to identify the general portrait of a "true volunteer" as well as to analyze the motivations and values of volunteers and the development of future joint projects.

Multan, Pakistan - Floods resulting from monsoon rains this year have killed 500 people and left nearly 6,500 injured across Pakistan, and the Society for the Promotion of Education and Awareness is seeking funds to provide 600 families with food, 60 families with shelter, and 3,000 people with medical care in the Southern Punjab.

Jerusalem, Israel - During the last two weeks of July 2012, some 15 young leaders from around the world came to Israel and Palestine for advanced leadership training. The program was designed to allow the young leaders to experience the history and religious background of the Holy Land and the diversity of its cultures and ethnicities as well as grasp the complexity of the political situation.

Slyudyanka, Russia - The third annual Baikal Volunteer Forum, July 9-22, brought together 32 people from throughout Russia to make improvements along the southwestern coast of Lake Baikal and hold educational, sports, and cultural events to promote ecological awareness, tourism, and preservation of the ecosystem at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pokrovskoye, Russia - Within the framework of the volunteer project “City helps the village”, initiated by the Women’s Federation for World Peace, the fourth training-seminar for children on the theme of “The Magic Land” took place on June 13 to 15 in the village of Pokrovskoye . The goal of the event was spiritual and moral education through practicing of moral values in different kinds of activity, including talks, interactive communication, games, sports contests, good deeds, analysis and self-analysis, singing songs, and staging skits.

Perm, Russia - A master-class on “Flowers of peace” took place in the Children's Creativity Center “Rhythm” in Perm on June 5. In commemoration of the International Day of Children’s Protection, the Russian children made flowers and letters that will be delivered to orphan children in the neighboring country of Georgia.

In their third year of participation in Russia's annual "Spring Week of Goodness" at the end of April, UPF volunteers and Youth Ambassadors for Peace carried out about 100 projects in several cities, including cleaning city parks and boarding homes, giving lessons about goodness, putting on concerts for veterans, and organizing ecological and athletic activities aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Vladivostok, Russia - One of the legendary peaks in the Russian Far East, Mount Livadia, is visited by thousands of tourists a year who carelessly litter the natural beauty they came to enjoy. Volunteers with UPF and the Patriots of Primorye youth movement removed 30 bags of trash from the peak April 21 and 22.

Quatre Bornes, Mauritius - The PATH medical team (Positive Approach to Total Health) offered free medical check ups on April 15 for children and adolescents sponsored by the Women's Federation for World Peace of Mauritius. In addition, they brought posters on nutrition and exhibits of foods and spices that promote good health.

Riga, Latvia - Volunteers of UPF-Latvia and their contacts conducted a one-day service project in an orphanage outside Riga on April 14. Volunteers worked hard cleaning up after a fire, repairing furniture, and restoring the place the best way possible.