Elderly
The International Women's Club of Moscow has a long tradition of
support for the local work of the Sisters of Mother Teresa Mother Teresa's
Street Clinic in the east of Moscow is open every weekday. Work begins in the
early morning when more than 100 homeless and often elderly people (more in the
winter) wait outside to be helped. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they can take a
shower, shave, wash their clothes and, when needed, are given clean clothes and
shoes. Then, they may relax and have a cup of tea. Volunteers spend some time
with them, providing comfort and attention. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday a
doctor and nurse provide medication, clean wounds, and contact hospitals for
emergencies. Each evening a soup kitchen for elderly and homeless people offers
bread and a warm meal. Elderly patients who need shelter to recover are taken in
until they are fit to return to the street - they can accommodate up to 30 at
one time. Others are given assistance in obtaining new documents. The Sisters
provide the community with spiritual assistance and daily prayers held in the
chapel. Most of those who attend are homeless. Volunteers are always welcome -
they prepare and serve lunch and wash dishes. The Sisters are all foreigners in
Russia and are happy to see volunteers.
Over one dozen soup kitchens in Moscow receive IWC support in the
form of volunteers and/or food. Many of these soup kitchens feed elderly people
and pensioners and it is not uncommon for a soup kitchen client to take a meal
home for an elderly relative who is not strong enough to go out.
There have been several food distributions to elderly Russian
people, particularly to those who are house ridden or who live in very poor
regions outside Moscow.
The IWC Charities group regularly visits several homes for elderly people: To one outside Moscow, which we have visited for several years, we have brought food, installed a washing machine, and provided other material aid as needed. Some of our volunteers visit a pensioners' home in the south of Moscow, regularly bringing groceries, smiles and toiletry articles.
If you are interested in helping us with our elderly project, please contact us at iwc_charities@yahoo.com
Mother Teresa
The Order of Missionaries, better known as the Sisters of,, Mother
Teresa, has several houses throughout Russia. In the Moscow Region, there are
two: the Street Clinic and the Children's Home.
The Street Clinic is open every weekday. Work begins in the
early morning when more than 100 homeless (MORE in the winter) wait outside to
be helped. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they can take a shower, shave, wash their
clothes and, when needed, are given clean clothes and shoes. Then, they may
relax and have a cup of tea. Volunteers spend some time with them, providing
comfort and attention. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday a doctor and nurse
provide medication, clean wounds, and contact hospitals for emergencies. Each
evening a soup kitchen for the elderly and homeless offers bread and a warm
meal. Patients who need shelter to recover are taken in until they are fit to
return to the street - up to 30 are accommodated at one time. Others are given
assistance in obtaining new documents. The Sisters provide the community with
spiritual assistance and daily prayers are held in the chapel. Most of those who
attend are homeless. Volunteers are always welcome - they prepare and serve
lunch and wash dishes. The Sisters are all foreigners in Russia and are happy to
see volunteers.
The Children’s Home is located fairly close to the Clinic. Many
of the children. are disabled without families who can care for them on a daily
basis. There presently are about a dozen children in the home ranging in age
from 11 to 15. Some do not attend outside school during the day and volunteers
are needed to help care for and stimulate those who stay home, as well as all of
the children' after school.
Under the Sisters, care the children are now being motivated and
treated as much as possible like normal children. Some of them have been
adopted, and have responded wonderfully. One of the adopted children was thought
to have severe brain damage since he only talked to himself hidden in a corner.
Once he was in his new home with loving parents, he started to behave like any
other child and now is one of the top performers in his class.
Donations of clothing household items, children’s toys and boots are appreciated and volunteers are very welcome in Mother Teresa's Clinic and Home. Help after school from 2:30 until 5 or 6 o’clock is particularly appreciated in the Children’s Home.
If
you are interested in helping, please contact us at iwc_charities@yahoo.com