Ирина Яновна фон Шлиппе фильм 1

Overview

Elena (Irina) Yanovna von Shlippe recounts her family’s emigration from Russia after the 1917 Revolution, life in Poland, displacement after World War II, escape from forced repatriation, and eventual settlement in Morocco and England. She describes how Russian language and culture were preserved in émigré communities (libraries, church schools, youth groups) and how those communities stayed informed about events in Russia.

After visiting Russia in 1990 and bringing humanitarian aid (fabrics, clothing, food), she helped found charitable work under the St. Gregory the Wonderworker organizations in England and Russia to deliver aid responsibly through church channels.

Key charitable projects and practical approaches

Practical project examples

• Start small, local, practical initiatives that help poor parishes and street children become self-sufficient:
  • Vegetable gardens, chickens, and cows for milk to feed children and create income.
  • Small infrastructure (barns, storage) to make donations sustainable.
  • Equipment for activities (boats with motors, bicycles, skis) to give children constructive outlets and build discipline and patience.
  • Animal care (e.g., caring for a cow) as therapeutic responsibility that can change behavior and restore dignity.

Fundraising and sourcing

• Small, targeted donations (a cow, a boat, skis, bicycles) can unlock programmatic change.
• Use marathon sponsorships and local fundraising to purchase communal equipment rather than relying on ongoing rentals.

Partnerships and accountability

• Work through trusted local partners (churches, vetted individuals) to ensure aid reaches those in need and is not misappropriated.

Working with vulnerable children — observations and program design

Common gaps for children leaving orphanages:

• Lack of everyday life skills and self-care routines (examples observed across countries):
  • Not knowing basic food preparation (for example, how to make tea to taste).
  • Poor personal hygiene and lack of clothing care knowledge.

Practical response:

• Elena created a handbook/textbook to teach life skills to youth leaving institutions. The guide contains 13 chapters progressing from elementary daily skills to legal and civic responsibilities. Key topics include:
  1. How to wash and maintain hygiene
  2. How to brush teeth
  3. How to cook and feed yourself/children
  4. How to shop and manage household basics
  5. Laundry, ironing, and clothing care
  6. Childcare basics
  7. Getting identity documents (passport)
  8. Military service (where relevant)
  9. Finding and keeping housing
  10. Finding and keeping a job
  11. Everyday civil rights and responsibilities (legal overview)
  12. Where to apply for assistance
  13. Managing finances

The emphasis is on concrete, teachable skills that make independent living possible.

Anecdotes illustrating need and impact

• Escape from forced repatriation after WWII: Elena recounts her mother organizing a night escape of about 120 people from a Soviet-bound camp, negotiating with occupying authorities, and later moving to Morocco as displaced persons.
• Humanitarian arrival in Russia in 1990: small items had outsized meaning — for example, women in communal apartments prized simple underwear; basic items could be transformative.
• Parish program in Karelia: a small cow plus support led to improved feeding programs, day-care activities, and eventual expansion (more cows, skis, bicycles, boats). These resources changed street children’s behaviour and opportunities through routine, responsibility, and new activities.

Practical lifestyle and charity lessons

• Small, targeted material gifts that meet daily needs often have more impact than vague large donations.
• Activities that require cooperation and patience (boat fishing, skiing, team cycling) are effective social and emotional learning tools for disadvantaged youth.
• Sustainable aid pairs material support with training (gardening, animal husbandry, life skills) so communities become self-reliant.
• Always work through established, trusted local partners (churches, vetted contacts) to ensure aid is used properly.

Closing note

Elena emphasizes the moral urgency of helping others:

“Hurry to do good” — act now to help those in need.

Notable locations, organizations, people, and products mentioned

• Locations: Russia, USSR, Poland, Germany (postwar camps), Morocco, England, Karelia, St. Petersburg
• Organizations/projects: St. Gregory the Wonderworker (charities in England and Russia), parish programs for street children
• People: host Tatyana Dyakonova; guest Elena (Irina) Yanovna von Shlippe; Bishop Anthony (who blessed and supported the charity); mentions of cultural figures (Tarkovsky, Galich); an academic/doctor involved in projects
• Notable donated items/products: ~200 kg of fabric/humanitarian aid, Basque underwear, cows, chickens/vegetable gardens, boats (with motors), bicycles (about 10), skis (about 10); fundraising via marathons