Kindness Foundation makes first debut in Festival South

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Kindness Foundation will make its first appearance on the Festival South schedule with a series of programs for adults and children.

The mission of the Kindness Foundation is to supply Bibles to schools in Russia where they are used to teach the children morals. Their venture into the Festival South program is through the exhibition of their ‘Art for Eternity’ collection of Biblical art created through their influence by Russian students.

Art Exhibit Director, Janet Blouin said, “We are really amazed at their talent. The fact that the morals and values are being changed in a very positive way…the art is amazingly beautiful and we really hope to show case that."

Also on hand for the Festival will be the founder of the organization, Dr. Olga Lutsenko and her husband, Fred. They have traveled to Russia each fall for the past 20 years to meet with Russian education officials, to oversee teacher training conferences, and to distribute Bibles to the students and they maintain contact throughout the year.

The nonprofit organization provides financial support to purchase Bibles and to conduct teacher training and seminars in Russia as well as to publish a quarterly periodical, 'The Eternal Word,' a tool for teachers with lesson plans, scripture and insights from an educational perspective.

Odd Fellows Gallery, host to the exhibit, will be open from 10:00 – 5:00 Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays of each week of the Festival.