Elena and her daughter, Ekaterina (Catska), have been separated for almost 30 years due to circumstances beyond their control. Despite living in different countries, they have remained in constant contact. Elena has overcome significant health challenges, while Catska has faced statelessness, preventing her from traveling internationally.

We are so excited to announce that this summer we hope to reunite these two women by bringing Elena to the USA for a month-long stay in July. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true for Elena and Catska, a mother and daughter who have not seen each other since 1994.

Additionally, this reunion will serve as a significant milestone for the Children's Art Experience ! (CAE!) nonprofit in Washington state.

Spring Thomas, the Executive Director of CAE!, met Elena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the September 1988 opening of the Seattle Peace Park. Spring, an activist and volunteer from Seattle, and Elena, an expert children's art educator and (at the time) director of the Kuranti Art Gallery in Tashkent, became friends and together continued the children's art exchange program for four years, supported by a Seattle Arts Commission grant.

(Spring, Catska and Elena at the opening of the Seattle Children's Art Exhibit in Tashkent in 1989)

The program brought children from Seattle and Tashkent together, deepening goodwill, fostering creativity, and promoting understanding. This experience inspired the creation of Children's Art Experience!, which continues to empower and support children worldwide in expressing themselves through art and providing them with meaningful art experiences that promote creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth.

Spring and Elena renewed their friendship in recent years, and are now brainstorming a new project. Elena's visit would serve as an opportunity for inspired collaboration and help develop a new program that aims to benefit children through the power of art.

Elena's visit requires significant funds to cover travel expenses, consular fees, and other necessary expenses. We aim to raise $8,000 to cover all of Elena's travel, consular fees and other expenses for her month-long visit.

Any amount, regardless of size, will bring us closer to our goal and help make this reunion and community project possible. Thank you for your generosity and support!

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