"Give Joy to Your Neighbor." Metropolitan Veniamin and the head of the Minsk region visited a social care home in Logoisk.

In 2021, the "Give Joy to Your Neighbor" campaign was held for the first time in the Minsk Region . This is a joint charity project of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee and the Minsk Metropolitanate of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Its main goal was to visit elderly citizens and people with disabilities of various ages who, by fate, found themselves in social institutions. Traditionally, the campaign is held on Bright Monday, immediately after Easter Sunday. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee Alexei Kushnarenko shared the light of the holiday with residents of the "Nadezhny Bereg" social care home in Logoisk, where BELTA correspondents also visited.
Living Well

The social nursing home "Nadezhny Bereg" opened in 1958, but all that remains of that institution is its core purpose—to connect people in difficult life situations with a family. The one-story building then housed approximately 40 people. Over the past quarter century, two new buildings have been built, and the facility's capacity has increased fivefold.

"Over the past five years, we have completely renovated the premises, performing major and minor repairs. Last year, the nursing home received funding from the regional budget, which allowed us to complete the renovation of the medical unit and administrative building. Today, we can say that our nursing home is a modern facility equipped with everything necessary for residents and their care," said Marina Dragun, director of
the facility. "Nadezhny Bereg" currently houses 204 residents, 75% of whom live alone.  
The medical unit is the heart of the nursing home, as all residents have serious health issues and, therefore, require constant medical care. The facility has its own medical staff and excellent facilities, including physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, dental, and psychological support rooms.

Filling Life with Color:

Currently, the facility operates seven workshops where residents, regardless of age or disability, can learn a craft. Embroidery, knitting, straw work , diamond painting, painting, wood burning, and even knitting rugs from scrap materials such as rags or milk cartons —with the help of occupational therapist Ekaterina Vogar, her residents diligently master these techniques. Remarkably, these works are not only exhibited and donated, but also successfully sold. The proceeds are used to develop the workshop.
"Creativity helps with self-realization and is a form of therapy. Our active youth not only create but also help maintain the grounds, tend the flowerbeds, and work in the garden and kitchen. This allows them to feel in control and boosts their self-esteem. But most importantly, by acquiring useful skills and becoming more adaptable, some of our young residents are setting out on their own. And this is the best result of our collective efforts," noted Marina Dragun. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee Alexei Kushnarenko,
like family

, toured the boarding house and visited the residents' individual rooms.
Zoya Andreyevna Chernova will soon celebrate her 95th birthday, and she came to the boarding house when she was left alone.

"I have come toI came to Belarus for a vacation, falling in love with the lakeside Naroch region. I appreciated the order, beauty, and kind people of Belarus. Moreover, the local climate suited me very well , so I decided to move to Belarus from St. Petersburg. It wasn't easy to get a job at this boarding house, but as a child of war and the wife of a former soldier, they accepted me. "I'm completely alone, and the boarding house staff has become like family to me," said Zoya Andreyevna.

Kristina Bondarchuk, who lost her family in early childhood, also found a second home at Nadezhny Bereg. "I joined this boarding house in 2010 and am very happy. I have a second-degree disability, but I try to help my grandmothers and do creative work. I'm glad I can be of service." "Everyone here feels like family to me," the girl shared.  

Metropolitan

Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, noted that this is not his first visit to this nursing home, and each time he is convinced that the residents are surrounded by care and attention.
"The interiors have recently been renovated—they are cozy and tastefully decorated. But most importantly, the people who work here, helping the infirm, are united by a common cause of kindness, attention, and care. This sometimes helps their charges get back on their feet, lead active lives, and even be useful. This is very important," the Metropolitan emphasized.
He also noted that on holidays, it is important to visit such institutions to congratulate them on the holiday and share their joy with the residents.
"People with disabilities, thanks to this, become closer to perceiving the spiritual component. In prayer, they say few words, but from the heart, with deep faith. "We can learn a lot from them," the Metropolitan said.

Minsk Regional Executive Committee Chairman Aleksey Kushnarenko noted that the "Give Joy to Your Neighbor" campaign was held today in 48 social institutions in the Minsk Region.
"We saw that the Nadezhny Bereg boarding house has created all the conditions for the treatment, rehabilitation, development, and well-being of residents. The most important thing is to see the faces of people who are grateful to the staff and the government for the conditions created," the head of the region said.
He also emphasized that the development of the boarding house's material and technical infrastructure will continue. On behalf of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, Aleksey Kushnarenko presented the institution with a Br20,000 certificate and noted that the construction of a hydrotherapy center there will be discussed.

During the festive tea party, residents were able to ask guests questions and share stories from their lives.

Elena Kharevich,
photo by Nadezhda Kostetskaia,
BelTA.