Self-help points for old people and former prisoners of concentration camps will appear in Zelva district

Within the framework of the social project “Formula of Memory”, the Zelive people who suffered from the Great Patriotic War in concentration camps and ghettos will be helped and taught to be independent, despite their age. In the new year, six self-help points will appear in the remote sparsely populated villages of Zelvenshchyna. What are these social objects for, and who will be attracted to the implementation of the initiative, said its coordinator Natalia Glushenya.

Today, 11 former concentration camp prisoners live in the Zelva district. The idea to support this particular group of people appeared in Natalia Sergeyevna a year ago. True to implement it immediately failed.

Let not the first time, but the idea is still appreciated. A year later, the project was supported by the international public association “Understanding” in the framework of the program “Meeting Place: Dialogue”. As a result, about 12 thousand euros allocated for its implementation.

– In my opinion, in our time we do not pay enough attention to the prisoners of war. “The formula of memory” will help to change attitudes towards them, – explained Natalia Sergeevna, the goal of the initiative.

The project is being implemented within two years together with the Grodno regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society. 6 self-help points will be created. They will appear in remote sparsely populated villages of Zelva and Karolinsky village councils — Petreviches, Avdeevichi, Vishnevka, Kostevichi and others.

– A self-help point is a place in the village where an elderly person can turn for help: measure pressure, get any information and other necessary help, – said Natalia Glushenya. – In addition, there will be organized “meeting places” for volunteers and elderly people on the basis of the Karolinska Village Council and day care department for senior citizens in Zelva.

According to the results of a survey conducted earlier, residents of the villages involved in the project are ready to take a special training course and become project volunteers. They will be able to help former prisoners, as well as lonely and lonely living people born before 1945. And this is more than 160 people.

– In the settlements, leisure activities will be organized for the elderly: concerts, meetings with schoolchildren, and excursions are planned.

In addition, volunteers of the ROC BOKK (at least 35 volunteers will be involved in the project) will be visited by elderly Zelu residents at home.

– Visit the volunteer — at least once a month. He will help to clean, cook food, buy food and medicine. Help is free, – the initiative coordinator clarified.

By the way, everyone can join the project and become a volunteer. Two groups of volunteers will be created: elderly volunteers and young people. They will not only practically help former prisoners, but also capture their memories for future generations.

– A photo exhibition will be organized and the album “Children of War: History in Faces” will be published. Thematic meetings will be held in schools. Volunteers will prepare concerts for the International Day for the Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps, – added Natalia Sergeevna. – All this will allow to draw the attention of the public, including young people, to the history of our country.

And in order that elderly people do not feel lonely, correspondence with volunteers can be organized (at their request). Join us and you. Words of thanks and attention for older people are worth their weight in gold.

– The practical implementation of the “Formula of time” initiative will begin in February. The first step is to prepare volunteers to work with older people. A number of seminars and trainings are planned, which will allow “to plunge” volunteers into the project, – summarized Natalya Sergeevna.

By the way, if you want to become part of a social initiative, contact its coordinator by phone 7-42-70.

Anastasia DUNETS