Students volunteer in rural districts during winter break

Student Squad Headquarters conducted a number of activities in Apastovo and Tetyushi districts in Western Tatarstan from 29 January till 3 February.

The purpose of such expeditions is targeted assistance to needy residents of rural settlement in the form of snow cleaning, household chores, and other help. The local authorities together with social services provided addresses of veterans, single retirees, and families of military servicemembers to organize assistance. The students visited 24 households.

Head of Miras Squad Nataliya Shilova said that this time the students focused on snow cleaning following the recent unusually heavy blizzards in the region. The senior citizens were very glad to receive help and socialize with the volunteers.

During the trips, the students also held a number of educational and entertainment events for schoolchildren in rural schools. The kids were also very interested to know more about studies and student life at KFU.

The arts squads staged free performances at rural concert halls in Russian and Tatar languages.

Of course, the volunteers also found time for themselves, visiting local museums and talking with historians about the past and present of the districts. Head of Matur Squad Aisylu Baiguskarova was surprised to know how important the fishing industry was for the local economy a hundred years ago. In particular, in 1921 a record 1,000 kg beluga sturgeon was caught in the Volga River here – a number which would be absolutely unthinkable today.

This particular volunteer action won the Russian National Competition of Youth Projects in 2023.