New Thing is your love in action, inside the former Soviet Union

Curious about where NewThing.net came from?

A report from Doug Brendel to all who support or follow New Thing in Belarus...

Not your everyday snapshots...

Portraits of Dignity

Our beloved longtime “Response of the Heart” team photographer Oleg Yarovenko visited two shelters for homeless people.

Friends giving generously to New Thing have enabled the team to help these folks, and the workers dedicated to caring for them.

You’ve provided things like food, clothing, shoes, medicines, sanitary and hygienic products, and more.

You’ve also helped people get their passports restored — an absolute essential for survival in Belarusian society.

In one location, photography is strictly prohibited, but the director was delighted by Oleg’s plan:

He would request permission from each individual to shoot an actual portrait, then print and frame the portraits as gifts for each person to keep or share.

Americans “smile for the camera,” but that’s not typically the Belarusian way.

Still, Oleg worked his magic, and coaxed a smile out of a few.

Or least something like a smile.

And a few days later, the people receiving their gift portraits were delighted!

By such a simple gesture — and by offering the basic essentials of everyday life — you say to each of them...

You are not forgotten. You have value. You are loved.

Thanks for journeying with New Thing!

More adventures to come!

Much love,                                                                                                                                           

Doug Brendel

(Photos by our dear friend Oleg Yarovenko)

To help the people of Belarus by giving to New Thing online, click here

To send a check by snail mail: New Thing, 403 Linebrook Road, Ipswich MA 01938

Thanks again!