StudentAID in Belarus

The Work of StudentAID in Belarus

The project began in 2000 when DIT lecturer Joe McGrath founded StudentAID Chernobyl. The over-riding mission of StudentAID is to work with Belarusian Ministries, Institution Directors and local humanitarian groups in order to reform state care for people with mental and physical disabilities.

StudentAID runs Bike2Belarus. Bike2Belarus is an annual event whereby students cycle to Belarus to raise money to fund the programmes in Vasilevka and a hospice for young adults which is located in the same region. Students are more than welcome to contact StudentAID if they are interested in participating in Bike2Belarus in 2009. With funds raised by bike2belarus in 2007 and 2008 a contribution of €20,000 was made to the UNDP Belarus Support Programme. In addition to this and with a grant from ESB's ElectricAID Programme, StudentAID was able to construct six greenhouses in Vasilevka and another is planned for Rechitca. The greenhouses will be used to train young adults in horticulture and will provide fresh fruit and vegetables for Vasilevka's kitchens.

So far StudentAID has:

  • Completed re-building/building of disabled access rooms (2007)
  • Introduced mental stimulation therapies including basic education, craft, sport therapy.
  • Installation of seven greenhouses
  • Building of disabled access rooms and ramps
  • “Individualisation” programme