The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Belarus reported how many elderly citizens of the country participate in volunteer activities.
According to the agency, approximately 15%-20% of older people are involved in it.
Belta writes about this with reference to the deputy head of the main department of social services and social assistance of the Ministry of Labor, Nikolai Orel.
In turn, he says that the figures of 15%-20% are data from various social surveys, the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences, and Belstat.
Where to get help
According to the specialist, elderly Belarusian volunteers help in various areas, including in landscaping activities, helping animals, etc.
As an example, Orel cited a situation when a person of a respectable age, on the way to a store or pharmacy, stops by a neighbor of the same age to offer his help.
However, in this case, statistics do not count such direct assistance as volunteer activity, the ministry representative noted.
At the same time, he noted that now volunteer groups operate at each Territorial Social Services Center.
"Equal teaches equal"
According to the official, there, “silver age” volunteers organize work in clubs and circles based on the principle of “peer teaching peer.”
In particular, they teach those who want to dance, foreign languages, computer literacy, etc.
And veterans in need are provided with sponsorship assistance – both social and moral.
They also involve older citizens in the life of society through participation in public organizations.
The largest of these is the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans. It has offices in all regions of the republic.
