the Lady Vasilisa Kolosov – one of the few who have a long experience of volunteering. And it is with the elderly, that is those for help whom directed the project. She shared with the “Russian newspaper” his thoughts about the current actions in support of the elderly during a pandemic, and volunteering in General:
– the old I pulled from childhood. I have always been interested in listening to their stories about the long life, wise advice, reasoning. After school went to the midwifery College and the first practice I went to the neurology Department with two chambers of bedridden elderly people, many of whom were lonely. Not an easy job and not encouraging. But when in the summer we distributed at the long practices, the girls chose offices and hospitals more pleasant, I went back to the regular, old hospital, the same Department of neurology – I wanted to somehow brighten the lives of those bedridden grandparents. Some still remember.
it took ten years of medicine I left for health reasons, but the thought of the elderly did not give rest. There were not funds to support the elderly, all to help the children. On one of these forums dedicated to orphanages, I saw a message offering to support the young organization working in nursing homes. On the forum for this message, reacted negatively, saying that it is not necessary to write about the elderly, then help the children! It was the first thing that struck me. I’m not naive, wide-eyed, but it seemed to me that people who help must be kind, considerate, polite. Then I well know that among the volunteers – exactly the same human community, like any other. There is a negativity, and bickering, and jealousy. This is one of the biggest mismatches of expectations with reality… well, then I clicked on the link to the site for assisting the elderly. Thus began my long path of participation in the work of the future Fund “an old Age in pleasure”.
I started correspondence with grandmothers in nursing homes. I was then asked to take part in the organization of the regional group “the old Age in pleasure” in St. Petersburg. And I said Yes. It is now the Foundation of the twist in shopping centers, but when it was just beginning, we – a small group of activists – was very difficult. In the St. Petersburg nursing home volunteers did not want to start, so we went regional. Carried diapers, sweets, tried to fulfil the request. Spoke with the grandparents, they already knew were waiting. Their own concerts. Then began to connect the bands and artists performing in nursing homes on holidays.
Many wondered why I chose the elderly. That is the case whether children, a new life and the old man is almost past its Prime, there is sickness, there is death. But I am still interested with the elderly, they are tellingyut about his life, it is important that they are listened to, that they are not forgotten, they need the sympathy and attention no less than children. They worked, raised children, gave their time and health for the country… of Course, my rainbow images sometimes broken reality. Not all old people have lived a decent life, someone had left the family and so one, someone drunk and therefore invalid. But I’m a part of man, and in front of me are weak people. I do not judge them, everyone is responsible for their own actions.
after some time I retired from the leadership group. First, I am inherently not the organizer. Secondly, I parallel voluntarily in the orphanage where I had sponsored a girl. Our nursing home was far away in the field, on the trip there went the whole day off, and the girl was waiting for me. I chose to have a baby. For some time I have ridden with a group in the middle nursing home in Strelna. Husband helped me: drove, loaded, unloaded, carried. Daughter is also ten years old, often went with me, talked with grandmothers.
One day I saw an ad that urgently requires volunteers – teachers of computer literacy for pensioners. It was scary to do that without teaching experience, but I went. Eventually became good at it, my seniors loved me and I them too. Some of the students I still send holiday greetings in social networks, and it is very nice. Then for personal reasons had to leave that job and a few years of volunteering I was doing. Last year and a half worked as a volunteer in the organization “Our children” – was on duty in the hospitals at otkazniks or children whose parents cannot be beside them during treatment. Because of the pandemic, it has become impossible.
as soon As I saw the call to be a volunteer for seniors and I knew I need to go. Although the experience I have is great, but it was still scary. How will meet me, what people will get? Always before you call worried, and suddenly something went wrong. Each application is trying to accomplish is – to please, bringing those products which wants grandma or grandpa. Choose the shop yourself so good, so beautiful, even better than myself. I like it sort of quest, when you tick it off on the last product and found exactly what you asked for, the joy that the prize won. And upset, if not all found, although walked a few shops.
of Course, very inspiring and motivating, when you are sincerely grateful. I work for literally. People are different: there are those who are simply happy, there more demanding. It’s nice when wary and distrustful at first the elderly then smile and thank you. Appeared regular applicants, “their” grandparents. There are those who regret not going back again, but not everyone is ready Perezto animate specific volunteer – shy, don’t want to bother.
Volunteers, like all who work with people subject to fading. Even the most involved, active, burning idea. They even, perhaps, more than others. He had to survive, and you go be depressed and even to leave, then return. But it can be in any job. In project #Myvote in this respect easier because of the customer do you see for long. If caught unpleasant man, upset, of course, but it’s not months of work – gone, mourn and forget. It does not go to any comparison with when we were forbidden to visit the nursing home or hospital – and there is grandmother waiting and don’t know what came because banned, it turns out that betrayed…
I understand that those for whom this project is the first, very worried, but here you just need to cut off the negative experience not to remember. Joyful and grateful for sure much more! Some grandparents say so many kind words that their for ten enough. And then, we’re going to help order to help. Those who expect that all the polls will make their visits with reverence and delight, will inevitably be disappointed. It does not happen.
I Remember once in our shelter came to girls, the volunteers involved with children crafts. My sponsored and another girl – they were nine – were very fond of needlework. And these volunteers several times came, and then said that will not appear, as it takes only two girls, and the rest uninteresting. Many years have passed, but I still resent. Doing two girls! And they are waiting for! And threw them. For those two girls needlework was a light in the window. Volunteers also needed a big audience for self-assertion, so what?! In my opinion, if you are able to help just one of the many if he’s waiting for you if he needs you, all is not in vain. But two is already a lot.
once I dreamed that if I had the chance, I would have taken home at least one grandmother. But how to pick one when there are many of them – fine, good. It kills me that I can not help everyone and make their lives worthy.
Working in the project, met with one family: there’s a woman 65 years caring for a bedridden husband, a bedridden 93-year-old mother and her disabled son. However, she is friendly and cheerful, we agreed to be friends families. Made friends with another grandmother, in her 46 years died, the son (himself a cardiologist, intensive care, and died of a heart attack), brother abroad. Several times did her application, if she wouldn’t mind, I would like to continue to communicate with her, to help.
Project #Myvote not changed me – I came into it with experience and Mature views, but was a sudden, bright point in my life. After completing the last order for the day, go home tired, but happy – day in the Nortt with meaning.
help “RG”
According to operational information of the Smolny, volunteers project #Myvote 15493 application of Petersburgers over 65 years, observing self-isolation.
a single reference line for issues related to mers in Saint-Petersburg: 122.
to Leave the application to receive volunteer help by phone 8-800-200-34-11, and with the help of mobile applications “onf.Help.”
the Information service system of social protection of population of St. Petersburg: (812) 241-20-57.
hotline city volunteers in St. Petersburg: (812) 245-32-20.
