who survived the bloody siege of School No. 1 which killed 331 residents, half of them children, in this small Russian town, exactly one year ago.
"We thought what can we do for and give to children in Beslan?, " said Russian Ministries’ Vice President Sergey Rakhuba in a message from Beslan to BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest.
"We decided to give them backpacks filled with school supplies and a Bible. We did this last Christmas distributing 1,000 backpacks to many children in Beslan as well as [nearby] ngushetia and Chechnya where backpacks were given to children affected by war [and] terrorist attacks." he said.
"Working with the administration of Beslan, we were encouraged to give Backpacks of Blessing to all first graders in the entire school district. On September 5 when all schools will open in Beslan, all first graders will receive a backpack and age-appropriate book and children’s Bible that will teach them how to be peacemakers and love one another."
Since Thursday, September 1, thousands of people descended on Beslan to mark the first anniversary of the three-day siege, which ended in al out fighting between Russian forces and gunmen fighting for independence for the troubled region of Chechnya.
CONTROVERSY REMAINS
Questions have remained over the role of Russian troops, some of whom allegedly were shooting at fleeing children in the confusion.
Some residents blame the bloodshed on the refusal of President Vladimir Putin to negotiate with the hostage takers and a lack of coordination between Russian forces in Beslan, a small town at the foot of the North Caucuses mountains, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Chechnya.
Armed guards kept their eyes on the crowds as they filed through the ruins of the school, leaving wreaths and flowers to commemorate the tragedy, Russian Ministries said. "Church bells tolled [and] the portraits of children hung silently on the walls of the city school."
WATCHING COUNSELORS
"As we waited, we watched our counselors talking to and comforting those that lost their loved ones. They had been working with these families over the past year through the counseling center supported by Russian Ministries…"added Rakhuba.
He said several residents had become ‘born-again’ Christians after the tragedy, and tried to overcome their tears with faith.
"One of the many stories that stands out in my mind is that of Aliftina. Before leaving for Moscow, her 14-year-old daughter decided to visit her friends in Beslan on their first day of school,” he said.
“[She got] swept into the school during the siege and died as a result. Aliftina could not find peace after the loss of her only daughter until she accepted Christ and realized that her daughter is now with God. Aliftina now knows that she can bring glory to God and honor to her daughterâ•£s memory…"
GIVING COMFORT
Rakhuba explained that Aliftina "now serves to comfort and console those that are hurting" who ask her: "how can you have such peace and joy when you, like us, have lost someone?" US based Russian Ministries, which has networks throughout Russia, also set up the Beslan Christian Youth Center, which will open its doors within two months time.
Located 102 miles (163 kilometers) from the school near an abandoned mosque the center will "provide a place for counseling and a place where all children can attend classes on computers and music, play games and participate in youth meetings."
With many of their friends killed, aid workers say children in Beslan urgently need a place to play to overcome the memories that destroyed their young lives. (With BosNewsLIfe News Center and reports from Russia).
