In Brest, BRSM volunteers joined the republican initiative YARMARKA.DOBRA

A new stage of the youth volunteer marathon “Dobro.Bel” has started in Belarus, within the framework of which BRSM launches the thematic direction “YARMARKA.Dobra”. The initiative is aimed at supporting older citizens during the autumn agricultural fairs, which have already begun work in different regions of the country.

Volunteers of the Good Heart movement help veterans of the Great Patriotic War, disabled people of groups I and II, as well as lonely elderly people. The format includes accompaniment at the fair, assistance in choosing products, carrying heavy bags and delivering purchases home. In total, the project involved more than 2 thousand young volunteers across the country.

Each volunteer team must conduct at least two away shifts on different weekends, which allows them to cover all major fairgrounds and provide stable support to those who need it.

This practice is also being implemented in Brest. Volunteers work in several key areas where assistance is in high demand. Vyacheslav Stelmachonok, First Secretary of the Brest City Committee of BRSM NGO, told how assistance to the elderly is built and what opportunities are available to visitors: Volunteers work at the main urban locations for agricultural fairs and help elderly citizens, as well as other social categories. At the fairs, there is a social taxi service: elderly citizens, upon presentation of a pension certificate, can receive assistance in delivering products directly home. Volunteers will work weekly at the four main sites of Brest. A specific BRSM territorial committee is assigned to each location, and its volunteers will regularly provide assistance on the spot.

- This isn’t the first time I’ve volunteered – I’ve helped with various events before, and I really like it. I love to help people, I love live communication. I think the older generation needs help. It can be physically difficult for people to pick up, deliver or deliver something, and our support is very important for them. At school, I am the chairman of BRSM, I help the teacher-organizer in the preparation of events, so the topic of volunteering is close to me. I think young people should be involved in these initiatives. It helps people communicate, appreciate each other, make new acquaintances and feel part of a common cause.

- This is my first experience of participating in such an initiative. I decided to give it a try because I love helping people – it’s always nice and right. In addition, volunteering gives an opportunity to communicate, meet new people, and I am an open person, I am interested in this. The event is good, large-scale, many people. The youth may not be as many as we would like, but the atmosphere is still very lively. Here we really need help for the elderly: it is difficult for someone to deliver a bag of potatoes, for someone – a bag of vegetables. And I think seniors need to be helped. If it is difficult for a person to offer, support, just do not leave one. It's important.