Mikhail Sobolev joined Nornickel in 2018. He loves his job but also has his heart set on a particular cause: for many years, Mikhail has been helping orphaned children.
In 2023, Mikhail opened the Equal Opportunities charity foundation. Since then, a team of the same name has been involved in Nornickel’s volunteer events, recently making it to the final round of the World of New Opportunities program.
– How did you realize that helping orphans resonates with you?
– I have always been interested in working with children and teenagers. My stepfather passed away early, and I missed having an adult man by my side who could support and help me with advice. I am well aware of how important it is. For 8 years, I have been a mentor for older kids, organized summer camps, authored the entire program, and held sports games.
The idea to make something of my own came by coincidence. My wife Maria and I went to Irkutsk on business. It was a Sunday, so we went to a church. During the service, a woman who supports teenagers in corrective colonies approached us with a question why 80% of prisoners there were from the Trans-Baikal Territory.
I thought about it, started looking for information and saw that juvenile crime rates in the region were very high. There are many colonies in the region and lots of ex-convicts. The prison subculture is spreading and becoming more popular among youth, which is exploited by older people. This is how drugs, alcohol, and crime enter the scene.
I realized that teenagers need to be taken care of before they end up in prison. Since a human being is created for a purpose, and I am at my best when working with children, then this is my calling.
The idea to make something of my own came by coincidence. My wife Maria and I went to Irkutsk on business. It was a Sunday, so we went to a church. During the service, a woman who supports teenagers in corrective colonies approached us with a question why 80% of prisoners there were from the Trans-Baikal Territory.
I thought about it, started looking for information and saw that juvenile crime rates in the region were very high. There are many colonies in the region and lots of ex-convicts. The prison subculture is spreading and becoming more popular among youth, which is exploited by older people. This is how drugs, alcohol, and crime enter the scene.
I realized that teenagers need to be taken care of before they end up in prison. Since a human being is created for a purpose, and I am at my best when working with children, then this is my calling.
– Was it hard to start your own foundation?
– It was not easy. Accounting and reporting were of particular concern. I have a degree in teaching but never worked a job that was in line with it. But I decided right away that I will follow the law in everything.
It took two years to register the foundation. The Ministry of Justice rejected my application several times, so I had to rework it. Despite all fears, I took my shots. Then eventually the foundation was registered on 5 September 2023 which symbolically is International Charity Day.
It took two years to register the foundation. The Ministry of Justice rejected my application several times, so I had to rework it. Despite all fears, I took my shots. Then eventually the foundation was registered on 5 September 2023 which symbolically is International Charity Day.
– What does the foundation do?
– In the Trans-Baikal Territory, there are more than 20 children’s centers housing 1,200 children. Most of them are social orphans whose parents are still alive. The farthest center is located 600 km from Chita. The Equal Opportunities Foundation has a small staff, under 10 people, and we are unable to address all issues.
So far, we have taken patronage of the Vostochny Children’s Center in Kolochnoe village, 30 kilometers from the city. They have 30 kids in custody. During the year, every Friday after work I drive to Kolochnoe with my son to run mini-football practices with the kids.
So far, we have taken patronage of the Vostochny Children’s Center in Kolochnoe village, 30 kilometers from the city. They have 30 kids in custody. During the year, every Friday after work I drive to Kolochnoe with my son to run mini-football practices with the kids.
It has already become a beloved tradition to hold friendly matches between the Vostochny kids and Bystrinsky GOK’s team. It was the charity games project that helped the foundation to advance to the finals of the World of New Opportunities program. We are hoping to get the support.
Kids from Vostochny defeating the Nadezhda children’s center in 2024
Kids from Vostochny playing out a draw against Bystrincky GOK in 2024
In the winter, we go ice skating with the kids, and in the summer, we have picnics. My wife is a professional designer, so she holds drawing workshops for the children. But most importantly, every time after classes we get together, talk, and build trust in each other.
As we hang out casually, the kids open up, share their thoughts and problems, so one can give them a piece of advice without creating resistance. The advantage of being an adult is that we have had a childhood experience, while a child has not yet been an adult. If children heed an advice of a respectful person, they will make the right decision in life in at least 50% of the cases.
As we hang out casually, the kids open up, share their thoughts and problems, so one can give them a piece of advice without creating resistance. The advantage of being an adult is that we have had a childhood experience, while a child has not yet been an adult. If children heed an advice of a respectful person, they will make the right decision in life in at least 50% of the cases.
The Equal Opportunities Foundation holding craft workshops at the Vostochny Children’s Center
Mikhail Sobolev socializing with kids after classes in a casual setting
– Which Nornickel’s events did the kids participate in?
– Once I heard about the company’s programs, I began to adopt many initiatives. For example, we recently organized an event at a children’s center called “Don’t doubt, sort garbage” as part of the PonesLos eco-marathon.
First, we explained the kids why they need to do it. Then together, we cemented the ground to build a garbage collection point, put three bins for plastic, paper and metals. The kids were excited and very enthusiastic. They just don’t have a chance to make anything useful or helpful with their own hands.
First, we explained the kids why they need to do it. Then together, we cemented the ground to build a garbage collection point, put three bins for plastic, paper and metals. The kids were excited and very enthusiastic. They just don’t have a chance to make anything useful or helpful with their own hands.
Kids from the Vostochny Children’s Center excited to participate in building the separate garbage collection site
Kids from the Vostochny Children’s Center excited to participate in building the separate garbage collection site
On 9 May 2024, we honored veterans on behalf of Nornickel. For the first time ever, boys aged 10 – 13 saw a war veteran who was 101 years old. This meeting has made a huge impression on them. I am sure it will be a lasting memory and the kids will be proud to have met a living veteran of the time that seemed to be so far back in the past to them.
– How are the Equal Opportunities volunteers involved in Nornickel’s environmental actions?
This year, our team has worked for two days in the Daurian Nature Reserve. Women mowed the grass and painted the fence, and men built an enclosure for dzerens, the local antelopes. In the evening, we sat by the fire singing, and the next day we attended a workshop with a Trans-Baikal artist and painted landscapes of the Daurian Reserve. It was a valuable experience and a heart-warming event!
In September, on the team of GRK Bystrinskoye, we took part in the Krasnoyarsk Perspective environmental summit. The program included a panel discussion on the environmental problems of Siberian cities and a session for volunteers. Participants of the Goodness Factory program worked in the Krasnoyarsk Pillars National Park. Eco-volunteers from different cities built an observation deck next to the cable car of the Bobrovy Log park, set up benches, a separate waste collection point, and tore down an abandoned building. We also extended the eco-trail by another 70 meters, which now has a birdwatching area.
After work, volunteers took part in workshops, shared their ideas, and learned from each other’s experience. We also attended a concert of the Krasnoyarsk Chamber Orchestra and Harbin Symphony Orchestra playing Russian and Chinese music.
After work, volunteers took part in workshops, shared their ideas, and learned from each other’s experience. We also attended a concert of the Krasnoyarsk Chamber Orchestra and Harbin Symphony Orchestra playing Russian and Chinese music.
– How do you plan to develop your foundation?
– I want to create a program to help children in adjusting to life after they leave an orphanage. This issue is very important.
In a boarding school, children get accustomed to being orphans: they get the help and are pitied. Children’s homes, especially in big cities, are constantly approached by charity donors bringing in all kinds of stuff: from designer clothes to most recent smartphone models.
At the age of 18, kids leave the orphanage to live independently yet unprepared for it. For starters, it turns out that no one feels sorry for them just because they are orphans. And since they have got used to it, this natural attitude comes as a shock for them.
Secondly, former orphans lack the most basic skills like fixing a nightstand or electric appliance, pay rent, clean the apartment, and cook. They don’t know how to do any of this. So I want to create a program and run practical classes with children on a regular basis to teach them all these skills. For kids to get interested, these must be realistically simulated situations with elements of play.
In a boarding school, children get accustomed to being orphans: they get the help and are pitied. Children’s homes, especially in big cities, are constantly approached by charity donors bringing in all kinds of stuff: from designer clothes to most recent smartphone models.
At the age of 18, kids leave the orphanage to live independently yet unprepared for it. For starters, it turns out that no one feels sorry for them just because they are orphans. And since they have got used to it, this natural attitude comes as a shock for them.
Secondly, former orphans lack the most basic skills like fixing a nightstand or electric appliance, pay rent, clean the apartment, and cook. They don’t know how to do any of this. So I want to create a program and run practical classes with children on a regular basis to teach them all these skills. For kids to get interested, these must be realistically simulated situations with elements of play.
- What is your personal benefit of working with children?
- There's such a truth: “It is more blessed to give than receive.” When you help a child, you make a difference in his or her future life, maybe even save it. After all, thanks to you, he or she might not make a mistake that will cost him or her dearly.
Unfortunately, nowadays people don't pay much attention to words. I believe that words are the most important thing. Words can elevate a man or trample him down. When you talk to children as equals, not as someone superior, as a mentor , they listen to your advice.
Certainly, your own example is important. Children will never believe an adult if he or she says one thing and does another. So it turns out that helping others makes you a better person.
Unfortunately, nowadays people don't pay much attention to words. I believe that words are the most important thing. Words can elevate a man or trample him down. When you talk to children as equals, not as someone superior, as a mentor , they listen to your advice.
Certainly, your own example is important. Children will never believe an adult if he or she says one thing and does another. So it turns out that helping others makes you a better person.
Photos by Mikhail Sobolev
December, 2024
December, 2024
