Andrei is now living in exile, while his wife and son remain in Belarus. They will only be able to leave the country after the boy undergoes surgery, but the treatment is expensive. The family cannot afford it.
My name is Andrei*, and I was born and raised in Homiel. In 2020, like many others, I took part in protest rallies. A few years later, the wave of repression reached me. One day, “cosmonauts” in helmets, body armor, and carrying assault rifles burst into my apartment. Then came the remand centre, the trial, and the correctional facility. I spent several years there, far away from my family and loved ones.
After my release, I left Belarus almost immediately. Staying no longer felt safe. The journey was exhausting—it took nearly four days and involved passing through several countries. Eventually, I reached safety in Poland and applied for international protection. Now I am desperately waiting for my wife and son to join me.
But there is a serious obstacle. My son has a medical condition that needs to be treated before they can leave Belarus. He has difficulties walking, and the problem is getting worse as he grows older. A specialized minimally invasive surgery could help correct the condition. Unfortunately, it is not available free of charge.
My wife and I want our son to receive this particular procedure, and the doctors recommend it as well. But for our family, the cost is overwhelming: around 5,000 Belarusian rubles (approximately €1,500).
Doctors say the outlook is good, and that after the operation my son could live a normal life. But we have no idea where to find that kind of money. I cannot work officially, and the occasional jobs I find barely cover food and rent. My wife’s salary is modest as well.
I truly hope for your support, even though I understand how difficult it may be to raise this amount. This fundraiser means everything to our family. It will not only help my nine-year-old son walk without pain and limitations—it will also allow us to be reunited.
I miss my family terribly. It feels as if a part of me has been cut away. With your help, I may finally be able to hug my beloved wife and son again.
*This is an anonymous story. For security purposes, we have changed the hero's name. The image is generated using AI.
Fundraising goal
€2000
€1500 – surgery
€500 – medications, travel to and from Minsk for consultations, recovery, and physiotherapy treatment