Clubhouse

Russian town finds support in ‘sister’ Kiwanis

Family members help one another—especially when a sister or brother is in need. That’s why the Kiwanis Club of Osnabrück, Germany, reaches out to help children in Twer, Russia: Osnabrück and Twer are partnership or “sister” cities.

Twer, which is about 150 kilometers from Moscow, does not have a Kiwanis club; so, like a good sibling, Osnabrück lends its Kiwanis support.

“(Through city partnership contacts) we became aware of the disastrous situation regarding the care given to handicapped children in the city of Twer,” says Osnabrück club president Otto Linnemann. “From there, we started, in 1999, the ‘Patronage for the care of handicapped children and youth in the sister city of Osnabrück, Twer/Russia,’ and from 1999 to 2007, we have raised 57,500 euros.”

The German club worked through a local program that helps disabled children in Osnabrück learn life skills. The Kiwanians plan to continue supporting Twer.