These kids live in a boarding school for the hearing-impaired in Zhdanovichi, Belarus. They were delighted to welcome an American visitor... ...especially one who wears hearing aids like most of them do. Boarding schools like this are found all over Belarus. Each is dedicated to a specific medical condition: optic, spinal, gastro, etc. The workers love the kids, the teachers and house-parents are great. If we can come alongside them, it will be a privilege. Thanks for journey

In the far north of Belarus, lies the town of Ushachi — population less than 6,000, yet the local hospital serves a large part of the country. Friends of New Thing began helping this hospital many years ago. Kris and I met the new head doctor and toured the facilities. It's always fun to visit the children's wing. I offer to draw portraits of the kids. No mistaking this critic's review. Infectious diseases have been so well contained in this region, an entire hospital wing wa

Just a quick apology. If you've tried to communicate recently with New Thing via our usual email addresses — mail@newthing.net or email@newthing.net — you may have received an "undeliverable" notice. Sorry for the hassle. It's fixed now (thanks to the expert intervention of Chuck King at Conscious Computing). Thanks for your grace! Doug Brendel (Photos by Oleg Yarovenko)

Go back 30 years, and many children born with disabilities in rural Belarus were kept in hiding. The social stigma was so strong, a father often abandoned the family. Mom and children lived in poverty. A woman named Alla, whose son had disabilities, set out to change things. She set up an "Association for Families of Children With Disabilities" in Dzerzhinsk, her area of Belarus. The parents gathered for mutual support and encouragement. They set up activities and field trips

Sometimes, you do something good, and it turns out even better than you thought. For example... For nearly a decade, friends of New Thing have helped orphans at Children’s Village in Kobryn, Belarus, by giving them Life Starter Kits as they set out for college. But as it turns out, it’s not just about the big kids. Kris and I were there for the graduation activities this year, and here’s what I suddenly realized: This year’s graduates weren’t even 10 years old yet when th

The graduating orphans at Children's Village in Kobryn, Belarus, are off to college! Kris and I were delighted to join them for their graduation events. It's a bittersweet time for the house-parents, just like any parents at graduation time. They've cared for these kids as their own, for years. Now they have to say goodbye. We were invited to offer the graduates some words of wisdom for the journey. (Special thanks to interpreter Angelika.) But the real joy was hearing from t

Just a note of thanks on behalf of all those in Belarus feeling the love from friends who support New Thing: The orphans, foster families, children and adults with disabilities ... the homeless and poor, the sick and injured in hospitals ... and others in need. More adventures to come! Thanks for journeying with New Thing! Much love, Doug Brendel (Photos by Oleg Yarovenko)

Friends of New Thing have been helping families of children with disabilities in Dzerzhinsk for 13 years. Masha has been there from the beginning. We’ve watched her grow up. Masha at the circus. Masha making dessert. Masha celebrating love! This week we got the latest photo of Masha. She took the hand of our beloved photographer Oleg. I think it’s a good look. It says We’re still connected. Thanks for helping so many in need, all across Belarus, by journeying with New Thing.

For the child delighted by an unexpected gift... For the homeless person grateful to finally sleep on a real mattress... For the mommy finally able to warm her newborn’s bottle in the maternity ward... For every Belarusian child and adult whose life is better today because good-hearted strangers stepped in... This is just a word of gratitude. God bless you for giving. Your love matters. Thanks for journeying with New Thing. More adventures to come! Much love, Doug Brendel (Ph

As our “Response of the Heart” team wrap up a well-deserved season of vacation (in the Belarusian tradition), I want to thank you again for journeying with New Thing. It really means a lot to me, and to our team, that you’re willing to track with this work of compassion in a place most folks never think about. Most friends of New Thing were introduced to the work when I spoke to their Rotary Club (150+ Clubs in the past 4 years). In each meeting, I give everyone a copy of my