In this week's member article, Don McBurney of Ray of Hope talks about his Summer break visit to Mozyr. For more information on Ray of Hope, click: http://www.unesco.co.uk

The purpose of this visit was to see how the refurbishment of the kindergarten playground was advancing, finalise the details of an art competition in March, 2003, and investigate if we could assist a new school which was set up to assist children with learning difficulties, behavioural problems and children rehabilitating from injury or illness where these had caused educational problems. For example, a child with no palate in her mouth was learning how to speak following an operation to correct her facial structure.

Of course part of the time was also dedicated to being with the people who I am now honoured to have as friends especially by Goddaughter. Some day I must relate the story of how Don, with no Russian, managed to traverse the trials and trauma of a Christening service in Belarus.

The new school has a very long title but in its shortened form is the “School for Diagnostics and Development”. I had met the director, Ludmila, before when she was in charge of an orphanage which I was so impressed with, so I had not only wanted to help but felt comfortable and confident that the director would do everything in her power to make life both constructive and enjoyable for the children whilst being realistic on how best we could help.

The school is due to open for the children in September, following the holidays, but still there was much to do with little or no finances to complete many of the tasks. I believe that the fabric of the school had once been used as another educational establishment with different aims and the new director wished to redesign many of the rooms into smaller diagnostic units. On this visit we were able to assist with a substantial amount of wallpaper, wallpaper paste, educational toys and a new telephone. Just a very small amount of what will be needed to fulfill the dreams of the director to provide an educational environment that has surroundings akin to achieving the full potential from the children. In the years to come we will undoubtedly be able to assist further but one step at a time.

I had also the opportunity to visit Lake Naroch, the largest lake in Belarus and about 75% of the size of the United Kingdom’s largest lake, Lough Neagh. The hotel was spotless, well serviced, with spacious rooms. Of course it was lacking in many of the “luxurious extras” which we might class as usual but there was an aura to the lake and its seaboard. A milieu of warm contentment. Around the lake there were a few hotels neatly slotted into the forested landscape. The lake was crystal clear and it like the forest had a very calming serene atmosphere.

I suppose walking, eating, sleeping, bathing and food shopping at the local market filled the hours of most of the days and very shortly my own desire for more excitement alleviated to what was available. This area was for people to rest and have a holiday and not demand large aqua parks, fruit machines and traumatiser rides to enhance the day. There was a pool room and a boat park where rowing boats and paddle boats could be hired for about 60pence an hour. I found that sitting on a paddle boat, on a calm lake, doing absolutely nothing sheer and utter heaven.

On the beach the children were playing contentedly in the sand and bathing in the shallows. Although for anyone who knows Lake Naroch it is quite a long walk before an adult would be out of their depth. The day before I returned home I was asked if I would like to visit the Neptune festival on the beach. I suppose a cynic would describe it as a simple schools sports day with a few adults in costume but for me and the many on lookers it was simply a community having good fun. The value of community spirit in Belarus is paramount.