Almost 250 former prisoners from the Vitebsk region are included in an international aid volunteer project

Almost 250 former prisoners of the Vitebsk region are surrounded by care and attention from volunteers under the international project "Social Partnership for the Benefit of Former Prisoners Who Suffered from National Socialism". This was reported by Fyodor Tikhonov, Chairman of the regional organization of the public association "Belarusian Association of Former Minor Prisoners of Fascism".

The two-year project started in Vitebsk in November 2014. It is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future" under the program "Place of Meeting: Dialogue" and with the assistance of the international public association "Mutual Understanding". Within the project, elderly people receive necessary social assistance at home, are involved in active social life, and are provided with opportunities for communication. Partners include Vitebsk State Medical University, Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov, the territorial center for social services for the population of the October District of the regional center, and Secondary School No. 38.

"The target group of the project includes 242 former prisoners, of whom 76 are mobile-impaired or do not leave their homes at all. Volunteers have taken them under special care: 50 future psychologists and social educators, and 50 historians. We want students to write term papers or theses based on their practical experience communicating with the beneficiaries, which could later be used to publish a guide on working with the elderly. Students from the history department are collecting memoirs of former prisoners. 40 people have already been interviewed. These records are planned to be posted online, as well as to publish a brochure or a small book," explained Fyodor Tikhonov.

Also, lectures by professors and doctors of science from the medical university on relevant topics will be organized for former prisoners: on the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, joint diseases, digestive diseases, and others. They are invited free of charge to performances at the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater, to excursions to the museums of VGMU and the Faculty of Biology of VSU named after P. Masherov, and to the planetarium. Due to the project's funding by German sponsors, a trip to Polotsk was organized, and a celebratory event with birthday greetings was held. Issuing passes to the swimming pool was part of engaging the elderly in active life.

"After each event, we conduct a survey, because the ultimate goal of the project is to determine the readiness of older people to continue living actively," noted Fyodor Tikhonov.

In total, there are about 3,000 former prisoners in Vitebsk. Some of them will participate today in the traditional rally dedicated to the International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps. Similar events are held on this day throughout the region.

By decision of the United Nations, April 11 is celebrated as the International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps.