What is Kindness? How to Measure It?

Grandmother of Polina, a former resident of Gorodishche house-boarding institution, spoke about kindness. Her granddaughter, who was already 16 years old, a wonderful girl, passed away 9 days ago. Condolences to loved ones. We keep the bright memory of Polina.
Starting the project  "Realization of rights through communication", we planned to hear the voices of the children with severe developmental disabilities. We managed to hear the voice of Polina thanks to the active participation in the project of her teacher Alina Nikolaevna and the desire of Polina herself. With the help of a communicative button and other signals, Polina shared her desires, emotions not only with educators and nannies, but she could communicate with her grandmother. Thanks to alternative communication, Polina's relationship with her family deepened and it became easier for the boarding school staff to be truly professionals. Polina lived a short life, she had a sense in it, she managed to teach all the project participants and those who are nearby how to communicate using alternative methods, she gave a chance to believe in the power of kindness through communication.
Emotions are still strong, but along with grief there is gratitude. Natalya Telezhnikova is grateful to the teacher Alina Nikolaevna and the project:"I want to tell you about a woman Titenkova Alina Nikolaevna, a teacher, who has enough kindness, compassion not only for her daughters and grandchildren, but also for those disables children who live in Gorodishche house-boarding  institution which is located in Baranovichi district, Brest region. This is a rare quality, not every person is capable of manifesting it.Unfortunately, in our cruel time, kindness often depreciates and loses weight. But there are people who make this world kinder. Alina Nikolaevna is the engine of any sincere and merciful deed. Her support, attention, kind words and deeds and most importantly heart of gold help to overcome life's difficulties for children who are deprived of a home, maternal affection. Their whole life passes in a closed space-boarding institution. These children cannot complain, tell about their pain, what they feel. So the holy woman Alina Nikolaevna comes to their aid who has the gift to feel the pain of these children and empathize with them without hypocrisy and pretense.
My granddaughter Polina was born with severe pathologies. Doctors were powerless to help, the verdict was a long and painful life. Her mother left her at the age of three, just closed the door and never again remembered the existence of her daughter. By coincidence, we left the Republic of Belarus, but we did not forget about her for a minute, we helped our girl with all our might. In the boarding school, Polina had got a “second” grandmother, Alina Nikolaevna, who became attached to her with all her heart. Daily activities, getting into a wheelchair using orthoses, rollers, pillows (a whole science), walking in the fresh air, obligatory hair styling after a bath. In addition, Alina Nikolaevna informed us several times a week about Polina's health, sent us photographs and read to Polina our letters. We were aware of all the events, mood and success of the granddaughter. It was she who saw Polinka's potential, her curiosity and sensitivity to what was happening and insisted on the inclusion of the granddaughter in the program for the development of Alternative and Additional Communication means in the project with the organization "World without Borders". And a miracle happened - Polinka began to consciously answer questions by pressing the communication button. And besides the button, she gave her hand, answering the question positively. The girl felt that she was understood by others, that she  could communicate and express her emotions…
How much patience, endurance, willpower and wisdom in this fragile, little woman. It is good that the world rests on such people. I am grateful to fate for introducing me to this wonderful Person with a capital letter!”
Thanks to Alina Nikolaevna, thanks to the staff of Gorodishche house- boarding institution, thanks to POLINA for participating in the project, which is still ongoing!”
WWB thanks Polina’s grandmother Natalya for these words of gratitude. This gives confidence in the understanding that the power of mutual understanding can help children with disabilities stay in the family and be understood, help them find loved ones, another family, friends and not be lonely.

You can support this project and our other good deeds right now using the button: Help children - CPA "World Without Borders" (wwb.by)

Remember: A small act of love can cause big changes!