Description: doug1 is your love in action, inside the former Soviet Union

 

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A report from Doug Brendel to all who support or follow our New Thing ministry in Belarus...

 

When a child is hurting...

You do what you can

 

Leave Minsk headed west, and about 30 miles from the Lithuanian border you come to Volozhin,
founded in the 1300s. (Yes, the 1300s; thatÕs not a typo.)

 

TheyÕre so isolated, this hospital functions as one of very few healthcare options for the entire region.

 

There are 236 beds, 20 in the childrenÕs ward. Another 375 people visit the adjoining clinic every day.

Our photographer Oleg and I visited, along with our Belarusian ÒResponse of the HeartÓ team leaders.

 

94 doctors, 300 nurses, and another 406 workers keep the entire place running.

ItÕs clear that the staff, in spite of meager budget and wages, are doing their best to make this as pleasant as possible for sick kids.

 

Pediatrics director Natalia (left) and her staff sport cartoons on their uniforms.

ÒThe children love them,Ó Natalia says.

 

But many of the childrenÕs beds are literally nailed together.

Some once-adjustable baby cribs no longer work, so reaching in to pick up an infant is a challenge.

 

The only functioning shower in the pediatric ward is makeshift; water splashes everywhere.

Hand-me-down tables and chairs in the ÒcafeteriaÓ arenÕt even legal, but theyÕre all theyÕve got.

 

I hope someday we can help the workers at Volozhin hospital.

In the meantime, we too did what we could: shared some candy, offered some laughs, and encouraged the staff in their good work.

 

More adventures to come.

Thanks for journeying with us!

 

Much love,

Doug Brendel

 

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