Returning to civilian life can be just as difficult for a volunteer as life on the front line. Belarusian volunteers need support to undergo medical examinations and rehabilitation, and to start their lives again from scratch.
Private fundraising
Former political prisoner and cameraman Denis Sokolovsky has passed away at the age of 47. Friends found his body, and the circumstances of his death are still being clarified. His family now needs support to resolve legal matters, transport his body back to Belarus, and organize the farewell and funeral.
Alena al-Bsheni, a mother from Minsk, emigrated to France with her two children to escape persecution by security forces. She is now fighting for the right to stay in the country and avoid deportation to Belarus – and urgently needs financial support.
A Belarusian volunteer has defended Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. After a break, he has decided to return to the front as a UAV (drone) operator. To carry out his missions safely and effectively, he needs to upgrade and complete his equipment.
Alla Sokolenko traveled to Belarus for cosmetic surgery but ended up in prison on fabricated espionage charges. The costs of legal defense and maintaining basic needs during her imprisonment left her family financially drained. коммунальные долги accumulated, and now she faces eviction.
Ilya was under political persecution in Belarus for many years as an activist of the “Young Front.” The pressure intensified in 2020, forcing him to leave for Poland. For years, he earned his living as a breakdance instructor, but a serious knee injury earlier this year left him without any income.
Sergey and Elena Khvostenok moved from Belarus to Poland with their two daughters 2.5 years ago due to political persecution. In exile, Sergey suddenly developed extremely high blood pressure, and doctors delivered shocking news — his kidneys had failed. To save her husband’s life, Elena made a courageous decision: to donate one of her own kidneys.
For exposing the identities of government officials and security officers, Pavel was sentenced to three and a half years in Penal Colony No. 22. Even after being forced to sign a pardon request, the authorities continued to pressure and monitor him upon release. Eventually, Pavel had to flee Belarus.
An actor who was forced to leave Belarus after sentencing is now awaiting work authorization and urgently needs support while he is unable to earn a living.
Belarusian volunteer “Raccoon,” who serves as a tactical training instructor in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, prepares recruits for real combat. This fundraiser is for a generator, a portable power station, and heating equipment to conduct training in freezing temperatures and without electricity.
A Belarusian man was forced to flee his country after fully serving his sentence as a political prisoner, leaving behind his mother who is battling cancer.
After four years in detention for helping Belarusians, I was able to leave the country and take my family abroad, and now we need your support.
After spending a year and a half in prison, Pinsk resident Vladislav Navarich was forced to leave Belarus. He is now awaiting a decision on international protection and needs support to cover rent, medical care, and basic living expenses during his first months of freedom.
In 2020, Maria* took part in protests and joined a strike. Today the woman is in desperation: as a former political prisoner, it is difficult for her to find a well-paid job, money is not enough, and she has a child whom Maria is raising on her own.
Orthodox priest and founder of Christian Vision, Alexander Shramko, is asking for support for his six-year-old grandson Matvei, who has a severe form of autism.
A married couple relocated to the United States due to the threat of political persecution in Belarus. Unexpectedly, the wife was diagnosed with cancer and needs urgent support to cover the cost of treatment.
Konstantin* worked for many years in the petrochemical industry. It was a stable job and a predictable future that came to an end after the 2020 elections. Today, the man cannot leave Belarus and cannot find employment because he did not stay on the sidelines.
The entire family of our heroine has been affected by political repression. She herself has already served her sentence, while her relatives remain in the hands of the regime. Her sister is fighting cancer while under “home confinement,” her brother is serving a prison term, and the woman herself is struggling through exile together with her niece.*
When the man was released from a penal colony, his mother was already seriously ill. He moved in with her and took care of her, but she lived less than a year and passed away in her son’s arms.
In February last year, artist and activist Violetta Maishuk finally received a residence permit in Slovakia and found a job. Life began to stabilize – but pregnancy changed everything. She was dismissed and is now left without savings or the ability to work. I am an artist from Petrikov; I lived in Gomel. In 2020, I joined t
After beatings in a punishment cell, Yulia’s husband was left with a first-degree disability and still requires spinal rehabilitation. They managed to leave for Lithuania with their children. Their teenage daughter is struggling deeply with the forced departure and stress and needs paid psychological support.
Because the child requires a lot of attention and effort, Irina does not work. The family lives only on the husband’s salary, but specialized training for the boy is expensive.
Activist of the BNF party Vladimir Pryadkin from Rechytsa was convicted over online publications that were deemed to contain “rehabilitation of Nazism.” After his release, the man was forced to emigrate and start life from scratch. He is asking for help in order to survive in the new conditions.
A civic activist from Homel hid in the forest to avoid arrest, ended up in a Slovak prison for his principled stance, was released, received international protection, and returned to Ukraine to resume his human rights and volunteer work. He urgently needs basic support for the initial period.
The Belarusian Solidarity Centre provides legal, educational and cultural support to Belarusians in Poland. Today its work is threatened. The Centre urgently needs financial support.