Nota bene: some humor and not only.

"What was it Shakespeare wrote?

When icicles hang by the wall

and Dick the shepherd blows his nail

And Tom bears logs into the hall

and milk comes frozen home in pail….?

Then what happens is that trucks arrive to Dom Zara Minsk (Dobra tut office) for the collection of Humanitarian Aid sent from Ireland again by Burren Chernobyl Project.

This year we are happy to have been able to help those from Pinsk, the children’s orphanage in Gorodishche, the old folks in Starye Dorogee, as well as many others.

Winter laid snow heavily about us these few days

-          birds sit brooding in the snow and (Natasha’s) nose is red and raw –

and yet they turned up in their small and their large trucks, through the snows, through the freezing temperatures, to collect the much needed aid. It hit minus eighteen at some stage during the distribution and yet everything got sorted, doled out and delivered where needed.  

Shakespeare  was correct – ‘when blood be nipped and ways be foul’ - then is the time when the stalwarts of Belarus face out onto the cold and carry on  with the work, loading and collecting, shipping and counting and bringing the aid back home where it is most needed.

(With apologies to Mrs Shakespeare’s son, William!)

Well done to all!"

Liam

Friends,

We have just got a VERY TOUCHING letter from Shkuratov Family who are looking for support for their only child Sasha, who is one of the twins that survived after complicated pregnancy, please, read and give them a chance (there are more photos in the album, and the amount of money the family is looking for is - 35 000 EURO):

Dear friends, we'd like to share our family history with you.

In December 2012, we found out that very soon we would have twins. A sense of joy overwhelmed us, everybody shared our happiness. At the scheduled ultrasound the doctors told us that we’d have two boys. As time went on, the pregnancy was normal, the kids were growing up, and we planned a happy life of our large family. At the 26 week of pregnancy, we went on a scheduled ultrasound, along with the husband, the doctor who did the ultrasound, asked for permission for the students to present, as we had twins, so we did not mind. The ultrasound told us that our boys were ok, all organs were formed and weight was normal. The doctor showed the face of one of the twins, saying that the second one was shy and turned away. Our happiness was enormous. In July at the planned check up with the gynecologist we did a CTG that said all was well and so we were scheduled for the next ultrasound at the 32nd week. We will never forget this day. At the ultrasound check we were told that one of our kids died at the 21st week of pregnancy, and the second would be born with congenital abnormalities as he spent a long time together with the dead baby. July 9 at 12.33 our Sasha was born. Since that day we are fighting for his life so that he has a life of a normal child.

So far, we have done rehab in Brest centre "Tonus". He is constantly undergoing courses of massage at home. Starting with August we’re scheduled for the swimming pool, and a speech therapist.

After so many assessments we were told that the best thing is to try a technique Vojta, which is used in Helios Clinic, Germany. Therefore, it is there that we are hoping to get. The clinic is ready to accept us as soon as we have the necessary amount of money. We don’t have that much time to fundraise money thought as most effective treatment is before Sasha reaches the age of three.

Shkuratova Anton and Tatiana

BANKING DETAILS:

Charity accounts  are open in branch №500 JSC «ASB Belarusbank» — Minsk, Dzerzhinskiy prospect, 69/1
UNP 100603596
MFO 153001601

- Belarusian rubles — transit account №3819382101009 for the charity account №000006 in brunch № 500/386, charity account agreement expiry date  02.05.2020
- доллары США - transit account №3819382100000 for the charity account №000019 in brunch № 500/386, charity account agreement expiry date  02.05.2020
- евро — transit account №3819382100000 for the charity account №000004 in brunch № 500/386, charity account agreement expiry date  02.05.2020
 — российские рубли — transit account №3819382100000 for the charity account №000005 in brunch № 500/386, charity account agreement expiry date  02.05.2020

Payment purpose: Fundrasing for Alexandr Shkuratov’s treatment

Million thanks for your help!

Some of our Irish volunteers are not afraid even of the severest frosts and are glad to come to our children anytime. We are very happy to share the lovely memories of a new group that has just recently come back from Gorodische after 2 week's visit this January:

The rumours had cornered us with anxiety and apprehension. Expectations of hungry children tarnished by their grim environment had suppressed our excitement to a feeling of vulnerability.

Upon arrival, we were exposed to the stern nature of the airport staff, the stiffening cold, a language that seemed nonsensical and currency ridiculed by a crumbled economy. We now felt more vulnerable than ever.

Arrival into the country required the endurance of a gruelling inspection of all necessary documentation. Once this was complete, we met our interpreter.

This was the turnaround point. Unlike an Irish airport in the summer months, Minsk didn’t seem to have much happiness. No excited kids. No middle aged men in socks and sandles. No stressed mothers in maxi dresses. However, the warmth we were greeted with upon meeting Irena was second to none. Her caring nature radiated immediately, and suddenly we could release some of our emotional armour. The driver was equally as welcoming, chuckling at our reactions to the -20 degree cold.

The drive to the orphanage lasted 2 hours. As we drove, we gradually began to appreciate the beauty of the winter wonderland through which we had the privilege of travelling. We were informed that some of the older kids were waiting up to see us.

As we took our first step out of the minivan, we saw the first faces of amazement gazing out of a window on the second floor. It was dark, and the lights were off, but the smiles and bright eyes could be seen nonetheless. There was a sudden realisation of what we were about to take part in. We were not volunteers, or workers, or anything else. We were the “Irish girls”; superstars.

For the duration of the 2 weeks that followed, what we wore didn’t matter, what we looked like didn’t matter, how we spoke didn’t matter, how much money we had didn’t matter. A smile was granted by our presence. Nothing else was necessary. It may seem that the work we done was incredibly difficult. However, your personal economy is dependant solely on what you value. These children placed enormous value in a hug. A hug to them is an iPad to most Irish children. They are wealthy, not in money, but in happiness.

We spent our days dancing, playing simple games, feeding, hugging, and sometimes just sitting with the children. The walls were covered in murals and pieces of art made by the children. The food was nutritious and plentiful. The children smiled, laughed and danced. It was so far from our expectations. Granted, it was emotionally taxing at times to feed a “child” older than oneself. 20 year olds shouldn’t be in cots, nor should they be confined to 4 walls. But for the most part, they were happy. This is what most people don’t understand; the orphanage is their world. It’s home. It’s where all their happy memories are. They are protected, fed, looked after, and spend every day with their friends who they have grown up with. There are no daunting social standards that hover over each individual, forcing them down a path governed by expectations. The perceived satisfaction the kids have within the orphanage was reinforced by Vitalek (26 years old), who when we asked if he would like to travel responded with “No, here is home”.

As I sit here in the University library, I have a camera, an iPhone and an external hard drive on my right, a laptop in front of me, and a wallet on my left. These items may contribute to some of my happiness, but I assure you there are far brighter smiles in Gorodische right now.

If anyone has ever considered doing something like this, I really do encourage you to do so. This was a life changing experience for those of us that travelled. It won’t be the last we see of Gorodische; this is only the beginning.

Gery McGowan