Belarus – “Moy Dom”  March, 2005      
           
Gallery of Photographs

Another long period of waiting over and I returned to my beloved Belarus and more especially my friends. Looking at my passport I count 14 visas – and know that my life was enriched that many times during the all too short stays.

I was going to allow only my photographs to paint the picture of my visit but was persuaded by a new friend from Mozyr to write my thoughts.

Due to the country being landlocked it does experience the most extremes of weather and that causes me my greatest consternation as I rarely if ever have the correct clothes. Mind you with a range of –20C to +49C it is difficult to know what to include. Of course my tolerance needs only to be for days rather than weeks. This adds to the respect that I have for the people of Belarus. I watch from the apartment, which commands an excellent view of the centre of Mozyr, and wonder where the people are going and what they are doing. I envy their resolve.

Being met at the airport by “my brother” Sergey was enough of an indication that all would be well - as it always is. Sergey and I have developed another language that allows us to  feel comfortable in the knowledge that we totally  understand one another. Yet the fluency in our reciprocal languages is minimal at best. We do seem to have an infinity that transcends mere language.

On this occasion, on arrival,  I certainly discovered the meaning of Belarus – “White Russia” – a country carpeted in deep snow, large rivers frozen solid and temperatures below what I am  certainly used to. I have always been more comfortable in the cold as indeed I was this time except for the heat loss from my head. At –18C it felt that what brains I had were being sucked out. So when in Belarus do what the Bylearusians do –  I did and  wore a hat.,,,, and what a hat it was.

I am not sure whether my friends living in Belarus appreciate or realise the incredible changes I have witnessed over 7 years - it is difficult when one lives in a country. The first striking thing of note is that now the journey from Minsk to Mozyr, instead of being 6 hours can be completed in 3 hours 30 minutes – a much improved road system. Though fewer stops for vodka might be another reason. It does however give me the ultimate pleasure to see the lights of the Pripyat Hotel as they seem to watch over and guard the bridge to Mozyr and it indicates that the drive of over 300kms is over.

Changes are also noticeable with new brighter buildings, a much more modern less austere airport and in general, what appears to be a greater spaciousness. Inflation seems to be slowing which might greatly assist the country's economic development.

The first priority is always to get the passport registration sorted and although it is cumbersome for those who assist me they do seem to have the contacts to  speed the process up. It does seem to be an efficient system and the people involved are polite and welcoming. I  enjoy the police station if for no other reason than to see what little present I get from the lady in charge of immigration. A  ritual  has evolved between us. When a police station is bunged to capacity with Ukranians, Russians and many from Azerbaijan - and through the tide of humans on the move one is offered an apple from the police offcier's drawer  ; one does feel privileged.

There are many special places for me in Belarus because of fond memories with, and of, wonderful people. These must include seeing Swan Lake and the Byelarusian Dance Company. One other such place, and there are many,  is the School for Diagnostics and Development . A school that assists children to recover or improve after having suffered  or are suffering an injury, illness or a more permanent ailment. I first met the director Ludmila, many years ago when she  was the Director of an orphanage Her achievements in developing confidence, instilling self worth in a milieu of care and happiness were awesome.  In the school for Diagnostics she now has created the same positive environment for children to learn, to achieve and blossom. Her staff are jewels in Mozyr’s educational crown and her children the sparkles.

The school has recently been painted and looks well. Ludmila’s next tasks include fixing the flat roof. The school’s innovative work formulating a diagnostic approach for children under three has been given wide acclaim – but the sponsorship needed to publish the findings and techniques for this will be demanding.

The school has a responsibility for 10 under school age children, 17 of school age, 61 visiting referral children and 2300 in main stream who receive support. This is the workload for 11 teachers and classroom assistants. They also do much of the work needed for school maintenance and decoration.

The school for Art and Music is led by their director Anna who is  the epitome of vibrancy. Anna lives and breathes art and music. She knows the strengths of her talented exuberant staff who are proud of their director, the achievements of the school and their pupils. The school offers musical tuition to over 800 children. Many of the groups and ensembles are seen as the best in Belarus and therefore possibly Western Europe. The school is non selective and very much non elitist allowing all the children who wish to attend the opportunities to further their musical aspirations. Extremely well supported by parents and families, the school continues to develop all facets of the art and culture it is involved with. What an honour it is for me to watch the children perform. Never is there enough time to see everything that should be seen. Suffice to say that the culture of Belarus is safe in their strong grasp.

Our wish list for the school will be to replace the dancing slippers and provide white shirts/blouses and ties/cravats for the choir.

The story of  “the child” Irina Rodionova and myself must remain with me but this very special young lady, now wishes greater contact with A Ray of Hope and hopefully will manage to engage the energies of her student friends to form a UNESCO Club in the university. A framework for useful development is needed.

Of course it is always a pleasure to be with my God daughter who is getting bigger with each visit. I had time to collect her for a few hours from school.  After being with Darya I went to School 7. The pupils there are preparing a promotional flyer on their school for visitors. Once the photographs illustrating aspects of their project are with me then it will appear on the web. School 7 is 1000 pupil school, directed admirably by Raissa, with excellent teachers leading children who wish to learn.

On one evening I was asked to go to visit a heavy metal rock band. That was an experience. Unfortunately the room where they were playing was very small but when the volume was lessened it allowed the true musical talent of the group to be heard. I was most impressed by the group in its entirety and in particular with the young composer who had that charismatic “Je ne sais quoi” that appealed to me. Over the forthcoming months we hope to prepare a website for the group as a possible stepping stone for their future development.

I had been sufficiently confident to go shopping on my own on past visits but this was the first occasion that I ventured  to the restaurant "Paparat' Kvetka" without a safety net. I managed to order the meal – and actually got what I wished for. ( with a little help from the waiter – Alexander ). I can not boast of being well travelled to the extent that others are but in my limited experience a smile on one's face transcends all religions and cultures. As for language – practically all, if not all of all our basic needs can be transmitted by actions and the most important things in life like honesty, truth and caring come from one’s eyes anyway.

So - another visit over - and hopefully another visit to come - to the land of the people with the large hearts and the ever smiling and honest eyes.

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