"AIDS in my eyes"

Retrospective 3. May again.

For two days I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the town of Homel. The final event of the project "AIDS in my eyes" - a round table, gathering representatives of closed educational facilities of Homel region - was to be held there. The project was implemented by Fialta's partner organization "New Faces". The fialtians in this project were trainers in HIV/AIDS.

What was my job? Well someone has to play with the kids while grownups discuss the project...

Homel turned out to be a very green and open city:

Homel - Landmarks

Homel - Streets

The event itself consisted of an exposition with drawings on the HIV/AIDS topic:



And the round table itself:


So basically the trainings were done, kids educated, and further partnership discussed.
I got to see Homel and meet a local rock-band "Wind".

Блакітныя Азёры (The Blue Lakes)

Retrospective, episode 2. Still in May.

This story set off with a swiss Andy, whom I met on the study visit. And a guide.

There's a guide - Lonely Planet - with advice for travelers to different parts of the world. So Andreas, a traveler with experience, came to Belarus with this exact guide, which contained 2 sentences about Blue Lakes. 2 whole sentences.

So, after 6 days of the study visit, he rented a car and set off, taking with him Sophie from France and Sania from Latvia.


The puzzling fact is that these lakes, a jewel of Belarus landmarks, a marvelous product of mother nature's doings, is not marked on any maps. We had to improvise. Asked a few friends, got a direction and set off. To Miadzieł.


On the way a water basin caught our attention.




Miadzieł is a sweet little city near Naroch. Of course it has its own Lenin...


... a stage...


... and a castle! As we found out from man informational billboard. So there went. To the castle.


Coming up to a lake, we almost decided we got lost.


However, a passing fisherman dissolved our fears, with a wide gesture showing us the "castle".


As we were quietly endorsing the development of belarusian rural p.r., the man added:
-If you walk a bit further, there's also a beach.
We didn't bother to explore "the beach" and headed north.





We discovered the way via a couple of construction workers, gifted a piece of swiss chocolate with pistachios to a citizen of Konstantinovo (to fight his alcohol breath) and finally made it to Grumbinenty. Don't bother looking at the map. It's not there.


The owner of this, and a handful of other artworks-out-of-anything, made it clear, that it wasn't possible to get closer than 2km to the lakes by car. So we walked.


Describing what we say has little sense, have a look for yourself. We passed Glubelka, Glubla and Mertvoe.

Belarus - Travel

The place is very clean, ready for tourists. Just that it's all in russian.

The entrance turned out to be on the opposite side of the area, but we didn't have the day to see all of the place. We saw what we could and set out back on P95.


The road back was no less scenic.


Tired of the road we had dinner in Smorgon. The cuisine was twice cheaper than in the capital.



And on to Minsk, without incident.

That's it, thank you for your attention.

Youthwork Realities in Belarus

Retrospective, episode 1. Remembering May...

As you know, my trip home didn't do my studies any good. I wasn't reinstated and I didn't finish the thesis. But on my return I was awaited by something, to my mind, grand. A study visit to Belarus from EU in the framework of "Youth in Action" program.

To my knowledge this event - "Youthwork realities in Belarus" - was in preparation for a long time. Reaching agreements with SALTO and local authorities... But it really happened - youth workers from EU, representatives of european NGOs, EU governmental structures and structures of "Youth in Action" for 5 days could enjoy to the fullest that, which I see every day.

This event gathered participants from Poland, Belgium, France, Lithuania, Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Great Britain... It was pretty much all of EU.

5.05.09
Day 1

The program was pretty intense. The first day was dedicated to arrivals, hotel check-ins and getting to know each other


6.05.09
Day 2

The second day started with a visit to Department of Youth Affairs. To my mind, the view of 30 foreigners going up the square by the House of Officers is already a magnificent sight.


At the round table with synchronized translation participants had the opportunity to hear the department's representatives and ask questions.


Second part of the day was devoted to meetings with NGOs of Minsk, who also could present their activities and answer questions.


The evening was an intercultural dinner, open to guests from different organizations, where participants and social activists of Minsk could socialize in non-formal atmosphere.

7.05.09
Day 3

The next day delegations set out to visit Hospice, SOS-kinderdorf and other organizations active in work with children and youth.


8.05.09
Day 4

Was a trip to Hrodno, meeting with local activists and relaxation with non-formal communication.


9.05.09
Day 5

Summing up.


CDs with photos.


Free day and a dinner together.


And going home.

From my side I can say this was an out of the ordinary event, which gave a real opportunity for NGO-workers from Belarus and EU to communicate and get to know at least something about each other. Whether it will bear fruit only time will tell, but I'm glad I could be a part of this.

New season

So I've spent the whole summer busy with events and all of September getting my photos recycled. In a short while I'll catch up on the informational part. So coming soon...

• Study visit of EU youth workers to Belarus
  
• Outdoor camp with people with disabilities
  
• Guides' camp on the Braslav lakes
  
• Summer university of UNESCO clubs

...and much more.

Meanwhile have a look at the updated photo album.