12/12/2008 - Official statement in response to media inquiries regarding Stanley Robinson
The following is an official statement from AFS in response to media inquiries regarding Stanley Robinson, 18, an AFS exchange student from the United States hosted in Volgograd, Russia.
Stanley Robinson suffered serious injuries in an incident that occurred in Volgograd on 5 December. Based on the advice of medical professionals, AFS made arrangements to transfer him by air ambulance on Saturday, December 13 to a hospital in Helsinki, Finland, where he is now receiving treatment and where it will be easier for his family to join him. AFS has been in ongoing contact with Stanley’s parents and the US Embassy in Moscow in order to facilitate the best decisions for his health and well-being.
On December 14, AFS learned through medical professionals that Stanley Robinson’s condition is improving and that he is doing well.
Prior to his transport to Finland, Stanley’s Russian host mother was at his bedside while he was hospitalized in Russia, and on Friday, December 12, brought him letters and drawings from his concerned classmates in Volgograd.
The first priority of AFS Intercultural Programs is always the safety and security of our participants. We are committed to providing our participants with the highest quality medical care. Therefore, we are in regular contact with medical professionals, the staff of AFS in Russia and their local volunteers, and with Stanley’s family, and AFS is prepared to do whatever is necessary to assist in his recovery.
AFS has been a leader in international student exchange since the end of World War II. During our 60-year history, more than 370,000 young people have participated in AFS exchange programs around the world. We have developed policies and implemented practices to safeguard and support our participants. Host families are carefully screened and a local AFS volunteer, independent of the host family, maintains regular contact with each participant. AFS has been in operation in Russia for more than 15 years, providing quality student and teacher exchange programs.
For media inquiries please contact: Marlene Baker, Director of Marketing & Communications, AFS-USA, email: mbaker@afs.org, telephone: (908) 884-3600
Please click here to read the official statement from AFS regarding Stanley Robinson in Russian.
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