Our Story
In 2011 a University of Texas at Arlington study abroad trip to Eastern Europe birthed a deep desire in team members to help children in area orphanages. After meeting some family members of the largest Eastern European family, with over 50 adopted children, several conversations between Chris Burgin, Founder and CEO, Dr. Tatiana Baeva, Director of International Relations, and others led them to seek ways to render change. They set out to encourage and empower Eastern European university students to help orphans develop life skills in order to escape the poverty and hopelessness that awaits them.
In-country university students are uniquely positioned to reach the younger generation. Allies trains and invests in teams of university students to work with local orphanages. As mentors, these students build relational bridges, model the character of Christ and teach life skills to the orphans. Allies uses this proven methodology as a foundation for long-term success and leadership.
It was our first visit to the orphanage and one boy, Andrey, 12 years old, was running after us half of a kilometer, only to make sure to take a promise from us that we would come back again. Lots of tears were running down his face and we were crying with him." -An Allies volunteer
Children often enter orphanages with nothing more than what they carry, frequently lacking in education and life skills. Allies intervenes and provides not only physical needs, but also relevant programs that enhance mental, spiritual and socio-economic development. This is an indispensable work empowering orphans for success in both education and life.