Nadja joint the Grand Hotel Europe team on 29.05.2007. The 22 year trained tailor was hired into the position commis in the pastry subdivision. After a short probation period she understood, that the kitchen is not the right place for her. She changed her workplace and is working ever since as a laundress in the Housekeeping department. The house laundry is one of the places, where one needs team spirit and a great sense for accuracy.  The professionals among the laundresses and supervisors have taught Nadja all it takes to become a skilled and experienced member of the strong team of 20 women. Nadja has taken six months leave of absence to take care of her and her son’s health.

Natalia

Natalia was the third young lady who was admitted to work through the Grand Hotel Europe employment program. She showed interest in languages and the especially the kitchen department. Natalia was hired on 12.12.2006 in the position Commis in the Pastry subdivision. After 18 months she was chosen by the former French Executive Chef of the hotel, Dominique Ferchaud, to join the team of Chocolatiers at the Grand Hotel Europe’s very own Chocolate Factory. Since then Natalia creates together with her team-members more than 35 kinds of “Dominique’s Chocolates”, the finest pralines of St Petersburg.

Natalia, the 20 year old Primary School teacher is studying to become a speech therapist at Herzen University of St Petersburg in four years time.

Varya

Varya is 16 years old. She began working at the Grand Hotel Europe on May 5, 2009, as a florist’s assistant. At this age, people often don’t yet know what job they would like to do in the future, and any experience is useful in helping them to choose a profession. Varya took to working in the young, creative team of the hotel’s florists like a duck to water. Who knows, perhaps one day she will become a famous florist! Varya has learnt how to create floral compositions, look after flowers and plant them outside. These skills will come in useful for Varya in the future — after all, a good hostess has to know how to decorate their home. Varya is studying at a design and technology college.

Natalya Yakovleva, head of housekeeping services at the Grand Hotel Europe, evaluated Varya’s work in the hotel as follows: “At 15 years old, people often don’t yet know what job they would like to do in the future, and any experience is useful in helping them to choose a profession. Varya took to working in the young, creative team of the hotel’s florists like a duck to water. Who knows, perhaps one day she will become a famous florist!”

An SOS Children’s Village mother is neither a biological nor adoptive mother, but becomes, as one of our young wards said, “one’s own dearest mother,” because she loves the child, helps them, and takes away all their cares and troubles.

Elena Vasilyevna is the SOS mother of Varya. “I am very pleased that Varya is taking part in the Grand Hotel Europe’s project to provide jobs for our children. For me, it is very important to know that it’s a specific place of work, I know and understand where Varya is working and for how long, and what her duties are. Working as a florist’s assistant allows Varya to find out many new and interesting things. Naturally, Varya gets tired; this was particularly noticeable at the beginning, but everyone in our SOS family is very understanding of Varya’s new regime. The younger children are envious of their sister!”

Varya

Varya is 19 years old. She has worked as a chef in the confectionary department of the Grand Hotel Europe since July 11, 2008. Varya’s work at the hotel couldn’t have matched her personal and professional interests more closely, for she is studying at a culinary college. She is very responsible, tries hard and is highly motivated to achieve top results. Varya had no trouble in integrating into the team, and dreams of setting up her own confectionary shop in the future!

Elena Taran is Varya’s SOS mother: “She is an adult now, and has moved out of our family home to the SOS Young People’s Home in St. Petersburg. It couldn’t have worked out better, since she is studying to be a chef. The chance for Varya to work in such a prestigious place is a perfect opportunity of her to get excellent practical training in her area of study. I am very happy for Varya!”

Sasha, 12, is Varya’s SOS brother: “I would also like to work in such a beautiful place as Varya does, learn something new and earn some money myself.”