Residency and educational workshops to help build resilience to early life trauma (Minsk, Belarus)

Nastya* was referred to the Happy Baby Social Centre by the Partizanski district police department of Minsk. She was pregnant, without documents, homeless and on probation. Nastya had to stay at her registered place of residence as part of her probation conditions, but she had no home to go to. Her temporary placement in the night shelter did not solve the problem as she had to be outside during the day – this was unsafe for her and her baby during winter. Nastya’s primary need was a place to live.  

Nastya has benefitted from temporary residence at the SOS Children’s Village apartment for women with children since January 2017. She has accessed a comprehensive package of services including financial support, food, health products, household supplies, clothing and community assistance. She regularly participates in educational workshops on financial literacy and household issues, as well as psychological and art workshops. In turn, Nastya fulfils the role of an experienced parent in the apartment, helping young mothers to cope with domestic issues and teaching them about baby care. Even in crises, she remains calm and even tempered. While staying in the apartment, she has followed all instructions and rules for residents.  

With the help of the Social Centre’s specialists and volunteers and a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Nastya also regained her passport and her son’s birth certificate, received temporary registration for herself and her son, and applied for state welfare support. In addition to being a responsible parent, she has significantly increased her social viability and activity. Through this support and her own dedication, Nastya has been able to overcome her difficult life situation, which was a consequence of her own early life trauma – her mother left to look for a job when Nastya was 13 years old, leaving her in a shelter. Nastya has managed to change this pattern of behaviour, reducing the likelihood of trauma being transferred to her child. 

*name has been changed 

Photo by Stefano Valtorta on Unsplash