Russian Regional Contacts
Helen Vtorushina, Arkhangelsk
Helen has been working in the field of adoption since 1993, and she enjoys the fact that each adoption is unique. It didn’t take long for her to discover that she enjoys meeting new people and helping them to adjust to the situations that are sometimes stressful for adoptive parents. She also attended a University to study the French and English languages.
Helen enjoys the many “happy endings” she sees in her work: “It is a great pleasure and honour to see the very first signs of attachment with the child, [when] a new family is born.” She has a teenage son who enjoys computer programming, and in her free time, she enjoys poetry, good books, music, theatre, and traveling with friends.
Dimitry Soulitsky, Arkhangelsk
Dimitry became involved in adoption while his wife was volunteering for a charity that helped orphans at the Kotlas orphanage. When Dimitry heard of the work, he intervened to help a child whose adoption fell through. Before long, Dimitry began his official work in the field.
His background includes attending Moscow University, where he studied sociology, jurisprudence, political science and economics.
Dimitry appreciates the self-sacrificing attitude of the staff at the Kotlas orphanage: “It’s a very special place where children get not only care and medical services, but the most important things – human warmth and love. It’s a place where children smile at their teachers, doctors and nurses.” He is also excited about a program for the adoption of older children at the Koryazhma Children’s Home. Married with three children, Dmitry enjoys spending time with his children at home and at their summer home (dacha), and is known for being an excellent cook. His specialties include borsh, sushi, stuffed piglet and fish, and his wife says his stuffed pike is fantastic.
Tatyana Buzenkova, Kaliningrad
Olga Viktorovna Spachil, Krasnodar
Olga began helping faciliate adoptions in Russia in 1992, and currently assists AAI families adopting from the Krasnodar region. She also teaches at the Kuban State University, where she received her M.A. degree. Olga also holds a PhD from Odessa State University, in English Language and American Literature.
Her family includes her husband, two children, and two granddaughters. Says Olga, “I firmly believe some kids are meant to be raised in homes of adoptive parents, and I feel myself as being an instrument in God’s hands in bringing families and children together.” She loves life and people and enjoys music and singing, being active in her local Russian Orthodox Church, reading, crocheting, swimming, and taking naps on cold Russian winter days.
Alexander Rodin, Leningrad
Alexander has been actively involved in protecting orphans, especially those living in children’s homes and correctional institutions, since 1990. As a former member of the St. Petersburg Parliament, he spoke on caring for orphans at various national and international events.
His first experience with international adoption took place in 1993, and Alexander became involved professionally in December 1995 after watching how a boy’s life was changed through adoption. Says Alexander, “I was very impressed with the openness of American people and their love for children.” Married with two sons, his free time is dedicated to his family.
Anatoly Akinchits, Moscow
Alexander Vishnevsky, Moscow
Alexander has been working in the field of adoption for six years, beginning as an interpreter who took families for sightseeing tours around Moscow. He now helps families complete their adoption process in Moscow and get exit visas for their children. His education includes graduating from the Moscow Aviation Technology University, as well as completing a degree in computer science. He is now pursuing another degree in economics.
Alexander says he enjoys meeting new people each day and hearing their personal stories. He says, “I am getting a true pleasure when I see [the] happy faces of the children, and I can see [changes in a] period of only three or four days that [the] family spends in Moscow. It’s a miracle.” Outside of work, Alexander enjoys collecting coins from around the world and traveling. He dreams of someday making a drive across the U.S.
Natalia Suetova, Pskov
Julia Kuleshova, St. Petersburg
Since 2001, Julia has been serving as a regional representative in St. Petersburg. Prior to that, she began her work in adoption as an interpreter and translator. Julia holds a degree from the Philological Department of St. Petersburg State University.
Julia enjoys seeing the results of her work with Russia adoption: “I like my job much because it gives me the unique opportunity to help people.” She is married and enjoys spending time with friends, reading books, being active in sports including horse riding, skating, and biking, and ballroom dancing.
Andrei Pukhlov, Smolensk
Andrei has been involved in adoptions since 1996, and enjoys the process of planning and organizing to complete the important process of adoption. He attended three years at the University level.
Because he is the father of a 12-year-old son himself, he desires to help adoptive parents build their families. “[I] admire the people who adopt,” says Andrei. “And [I’m] thankful for what they do for the Russian children.” With a healthy dose of humor, Andrei also enjoys computing, cars, and technology in general. For relaxation and rest, he enjoys traveling and camping.
Sofia Borisevich, Tyumen
Natalia Bardamova, Ulan-Ude
Alexander Kazantsev, Ulyanovsk
Alexander has lived in Moscow his whole life and begin helping adoptions happen in 1997. He holds a degree in electronics.
He enjoys his work because it is not ordinary, and he has the privilege of helping each unique case. Married with one child, Alexander spends his free time with family, and enjoys going to the theater or cinema, walking in parks, doing housework, and taking care of the family pets.
