September 23, 2005: Jyrki69, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, gives concerts, tells fairy tales and draws in Russia
Jyrki69, singer of the Finnish rock band The 69 Eyes had been appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador this year. He had been deeply involved in the school campaign “Stolen childhood” in Finland . “Stolen Childhood” is a campaign designed for schools, and the beneficiaries are children in West-African Benin, who run the risk of becoming trafficked. This week Jyrki69 has visited Moscow for the start of the big tour, including Russia, Mexico and Brazil. Young people from “Otradnoye”, the Moscow state social rehabilitation centre for children and young people attended his concert as the special guests. The next day the singer paid a visit to “Otradnoye” where he enjoyed an opportunity to meet with children. UNICEF has been working with “Otradnoye” since 1999. There are 100 children of different ages living at the center all of whom have faced numerous troubles and tragedies throughout their lives. More than 50 young people visit the centre on the daily basis and have additional lessons here and do extra curriculum activities, including sessions with psychologists. There is a special department - social hostel - for those young people who are elder than 18 years and need to be accommodated. “Otradnoye” specialists provide support in individual educational programmes to children with big gaps in schooling. Here children get psychological support, and what’s the most important, love and respect which they have never seen before. ”It was a big fun to visit the concert,-said Natalya Snournikova, the psychologist of the centre who accompanied a team from the centre to The 69 Eyes concert.- It’s also very important that our children know that they have been invited especially. They definitely enjoyed the show and were looking forward to see the front man at their home.” Kolya Fardzinov and Alesha Ouglov liked the concert despite the fact that the music was too loud sometimes. They didn’t believe to the last moment that the singer would make his promise and would visit the centre. He came and they were able to discuss the music and why was it so loud. There were questions about the name of the group The singer explained that The 69 Eyes was a little bit scare and intriguing following the rock traditions. The youngest children were busy with drawing session when Jurky entered their room. He happened to be a good painter. He made a good picture of a funny bat and told the fairy take about it. This bat happened to live in the castle and it was leaving it when there was a moon. The bat had a big and kind heart. Children asked a lot of questions. Polina, a 6 year old girl wondered if the guest was wearing a wig. Jurky pulled his long black hair to show that it was his own. Young people showed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador their home and invited him to the impromptu concert. Jyrki was delighted to communicate with children and watch the concert. He happened to be a very attentive listener and a spectator. — This meeting with children became a highlight of my visit to Russia, — said Jyrku. — I will be meeting with Finnish schoolchildren at home and I will be telling them what I’ve seen here. As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, I’m a messenger. I have to tell people what they don’t know. I will have a right to talk now about these wonderful children whom I’ve met here. I will be able to talk not only about abandoned children, street children and children from vulnerable families but also about those projects that help such children to start a normal life with regular schooling, vacations and getting vocational training. I hope to be back at this place to visit my new friends with my fellow musicians. We will play football altogether at that time for sure!
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