Issue 212 Lent 2016 - Petya's Story

Petya’s family of 8 lives in a two bedroom apartment in Minsk, Belarus. The family includes his elder brother with his wife and three children. Petya has a severe learning disability and physical difficulties. 


He and his father had a wonderful relationship. His dad knew how to deal with Petya’s epileptic fits and always took him to and from the Isle of Hope centre where Petya has stimulation, care, support, and friendship. Petya and his father especially enjoyed their summer breaks at the grandfather’s summer dacha - small but a lovely retreat.

Last year his paternal grandfather died and to everyone’s surprise the dacha was left to Petya’s uncle. Was this a reflection of social attitudes against disability in Belarus? His father sunk into depression at this injustice, and even the offer of compensating cash from the brother did not appease. Pensions are received at a relatively early age and these are taken to supplement wages, however, with the current crisis many pensioners are now losing their jobs. Petya’s father was one such victim - deepening his depression. 

On Christmas Day our partner met Petya and his father at the Catholic church for mass. All seemed well. But, on 5th January his father jumped from a high-up window and killed himself. The full impact of this devastation is not yet known, but Petya is constantly crying and it seems his immunity system is being affected by his own sadness. 

But, he is still at Isle of Hope who are doing all they can to comfort him. The father’s pension will stopped (there is no widow’s pension) so further financial pressures are inevitable. The services Isle of Hope provide are totally free to users - ChildAid meets virtually all of their costs of £2,500 per month. 

ChildAid has multiple projects in Belarus as we aim to provide some assistance to the troubled country. To find out how you can help or to donate visit our website.