FACES of FLEX Alumni Photo Contest 2009

The 2009 winning shots from the “Faces of FLEX” photo competition are more than just a group of eye-catching images of Eurasian life. The visuals also demonstrate how, even in an age of virtual reality, FLEX alumni are making tangible contributions to the world, and the time they spend with their fellow citizens has very real and concrete benefits.

The annual “Faces of FLEX” Photo contest, which received over 250 submissions this year, offers a portrait of the diverse and inspiring activities conducted by alumni of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program throughout Eurasia. Many of these winning photos depict alumni volunteering in their communities to bring joy and support to those around them. Behind the program alumni’s drive to “give back” is their experience in the U.S. Government-sponsored high school exchange program where they were introduced to the American traditions of volunteering. On return to their home countries, many are finding ways to continue these activities for the benefit of their own citizens.

In this year’s winning photo, Evgeniya Kalenykh ’02 from Omsk, Russia, captured fellow FLEX alumnus Alexey Klimentiev ’06 dressed as the beloved Russian cartoon hero “Moidodyr,” who teaches children the importance of a good bath. With a bathroom sink strapped around his waist, a smiling Alexey, teaches children at a local orphanage the tricks of proper tooth-brushing. Whether planting trees, drawing on sidewalks, reading stories aloud or playing Bingo at nursing homes, FLEX alumni find all kinds of ways to contribute to their communities. In small towns and capital cities across Eurasia, these young people are actively charting new terrain in the search to be positive elements of change – and having a lot of fun doing it! Enjoy the photos!

American Councils gratefully acknowledges the assistance of FLEX alumna Lia Avetisyan '96 (Yerevan, Armenia/Clinton, NJ) in creating this slide show.
Slideshow