Volunteers: sky is the limit

It is always curious to look at one’s own country through the eyes of a foreigner, especially if the foreigner is not an ordinary tourist, who came to see architectural chef-d’oeuvres and picturesque landscapes, but a volunteer. The goal of the latter is to offer help to those who need it badly.
It is always curious to look at one’s own country through the eyes of a foreigner, especially if the foreigner is not an ordinary tourist, who came to see architectural chef-d’oeuvres and picturesque landscapes, but a volunteer. The goal of the latter is to offer help to those who need it badly.

It is for this purpose that 20-year-old German girls Anna and Mary arrived to Belarus.
The girls joined a Voluntary Social Year programme organised by the League of Voluntary Youth Labour. Ann is helping in the boarding school, while Mary makes herself useful for the hospice and oncology clinic in Minsk.
It’s the first time that both girls have visited Belarus and they are full of various impressions. Mary, who was born in a small town not far from Nuernberg, has already travelled overseas: she spent a whole year in Ecuador. In turn, Anna, a Stuttgart resident, is a first-time traveller abroad. “I knew I would be working with children, so I brought a lot of books with me,” Mary said. “They are of great help, as I find a plenty of fresh ideas there, for example, how to make a funny toy or craft some curious device, because creative activities is what brings people closer. The girls spend half a day with the youngsters trying to be kind and loving, as many children are orphans or suffer grave illnesses and need a serious care.”
The volunteers said, the kids were quick to establish friendly relations with the girls. Anna and Mary are studying Russian and as they are getting a better command of it, the children ask them to tell more about Germany. By the way, the girls ventured to compare Belarus and Germany. “Minsk is rich with open and hospitable people,” the girls would say repeatedly. As well, they agreed that Minsk is a beautiful European city that has its own unique appearance. It is also an advantage that the city is rife with “green islets” — well-appointed parks and gardens, which according to the girls testifies to the careful attitude of Minsk residents to nature.
Anna and Mary spend their leisure time wisely. They love listening to music and doing sports, they regularly visit museums, theatre plays and operas (they are amazed at the professionalism of Belarusian actors.)
May 9, the Great Victor Day, produced a strong impression upon Mary and Anna. The teenagers enjoyed the military parade, concerts and fireworks… The two made a junket to the Castle of Mir and have Grodno on their minds: they have heard a lot about the beauty of the city, including from my lips.
At the end of the summer, the German volunteers plan to leave the country, as they are to continue their education in Germany. Mary is be enrolled to the geology department, while Anna wants to pursue a medical careers.
— If you have another opportunity to come to Belarus, would you snatch it? — I asked the girls.
— With pleasure, we have made a host of friends here!

Dmitry Klus
Заметили ошибку? Пожалуйста, выделите её и нажмите Ctrl+Enter