Gorognya Aratta

The Gorodnya Aratta is a co-operative venture between BHA and the local social services, and makes use of the existing network of volunteers in each of Gorodnya’s 30 satellite villages. Tatyana Visotska, the Aratta leader there, is also the Director of the Social Services.

They already run activities, with 150 volunteers/participants, at the centre and the quality of the art-work is fantastic. As well as the art they have two groups for social education and three for handicapped children. There is also a women’s club and possibilities for individual consultations and support. They need help with transport as the bus services are limited. The young team is wonderfully positive and deserves our support.

The current project for the centre is to provide wheelchair access for the children who attend the clubs. At present their chairs have to be carried up 3 flights of steps. BHA has provided the money and they are having the ramps made.

During our recent trip we took aid to a couple of the supported families in this district. The first was the home of a blind boy who loves to play the guitar and to sing. Sadly his father’s efforts at rebuilding their wood fired stove led him to take down the chimney and, as this was the main support for the roof, they now have no stove, no chimney and no roof.

We also took a wheelchair to a boy who damaged his back when he fell out of a tree while collecting firewood. Every Sunday he takes himself to the church, one and a half miles away and during the week, continues to work around the house and in the yard. The conditions in which this family live are those of 100yrs. ago and to make matters worse his father is an alchoholic.