‘Alexander’, a patient at the centre [photo: Bible Society
of the Republic of Belarus WR414/11 BYE07DJ-6]
Pasha and Roma, both 20 years old, are friends and
patients at the rehabilitation centre. Although they can
hardly speak, they are clever boys, who enjoy doing
jigsaw puzzles [photo: Bible Society of the Republic of
Belarus WR414/11 BYE07DJ-10]
BELARUS – In the village of Navinki, on the outskirts of Minsk, is a boarding school for children with severe illnesses and learning difficulties. Of the 212 children who live there, 24 are under seven years old, 117 are aged from seven to 18, and 70 are over 18. Their conditions include cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome and hydrocephalus.
Deputy Director Galina Vladzimiravna knows each child’s story. “Many,” she says, “are unable to speak, they are forgetful and easily frightened. But at the same time they are amazingly inventive in some ways.” Alexander* is 14 but he looks much younger. He doesn’t speak and is continually seized by epileptic fits. “Maybe it has something to do with the heat,” says Galina. “These days the weather is extremely hot in Minsk, with temperatures over 30°C.” Outdoors, Mr Greben and his team meet Mary Jakob, a volunteer from Germany. She is playing on the swing with a boy called Inga*, who suffers from autism. Afraid of everyone, he is withdrawn and lives in his own isolated world.
Feels safe
Mary is a kind-hearted Christian, whose love breaks down these barriers so that the boy feels safe with her. She is a member of the Lutheran Church in Germany, and had visited Belarus in the past. This time she has come to stay for a year. Mary was delighted to hear about the books provided by the Bible Society, namely the Christian ABCs and Scripture colouring books, which will be helpful in her work with the children. Visiting the hospital ward for children with cerebral palsy is particularly painful for the Bible Society team. They see one girl with hydrocephalus, who is unable to get out of bed. She has a large swelling resulting from haematoma, and has to be fed through a tube.
Hardly speak
On a more optimistic note, they meet Pasha and Roma, both 20, who are good friends. “Even though they can hardly speak, they are clever boys who love jigsaw puzzles,” says Galina. “It would be great to provide them with Christian puzzle-books.” The second floor is occupied by the older boys. There are many of them, tightly packed into a limited space. Their nurse, Natalya Arkadyevna from the nearby Orthodox parish, reads Christian books to them and teaches them to pray. She is glad to hear that the library now has more Christian literature.
Dedicated
“As we left this children’s home,” says Mr Greben, “I thought about how difficult it is to convey the Christian message to the minds and hearts of such a variety of children. But God knows each one of them, and works through the dedicated staff at the centre. I met such people: Galina Vladzimiravna, Mary Jakob, and Natalya Arkadyevna; through them, God will touch the hearts of many.”
[* names changed to protect identity]
This story refers to project 73202
(WR 414/11 - 08/09.07) [4 photos]