  Dianne Killpack is the founder of the Women's Scholastic Exchange. In 2001 Dianne and her husband Terry adopted a daughter from Russia (Natalia). Natalia was 11 at the time. Dianne learned what happens to some orphans in Russia after they leave State care. For years she worked on a plan to help these girls transition into society rather than end up on the streets. In Russia, an estimated 700,000 children live in state orphanages. These children are wards of the state until they reach the age of 16 (at which time they will have completed their high school education).
Dianne's counterpart in Russia who identifies the girls for the program as they are released from the orphanages is Stella Starkova, who has worked for MAPS (Maine Adoption Placement Service) for years. She is Russian, lives in Moscow, and deals with orphanages and orphans in her daily occupation. She is the liaison with the Russian government and obtains passports and visas for the girls. She also helps them find jobs when they return to Russia.
Wayne Mills is the accountant for WSE, and Lorraine Liston is the resident nutritionist, who helps the girls learn to eat responsibly and nutritiously. Many other people also are involved with the program.
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The Women's Scholastic Exchange brings selected Russian orphan girls to the United States for a period of eight months. For the first four months, they are taught extensive English-as-a-second-language. They learn English using the "Total Physical Response" method of teaching.
The girls are taught by bi-lingual teachers who are fluent in Russian. After they have a solid mastery of English, they are taught job skills such as computer literacy, desk-top publishing, PhotoShop, etc.
Other courses are offered in child-care, housekeeping, etc. These classes are also taught by bi-lingual teachers to be sure they totally understand what they are learning.
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