"Here I felt I wasn't alone." The story of a former political prisoner who found support in the foundation's shelter

After release, many former political prisoners are forced to start life almost from scratch — with no home, no job, far from family. The shelter run by the "A Country to Live in" foundation becomes a place where they can find a roof over their head and feel they are not alone.

We spoke with one of the shelter's residents about life after a penal colony, emigration, support, and the dream that remains the most important thing.

"On September 11, I was forcibly taken out of Belarus"

— Tell us your story. How did you end up in Lithuania?

In September 2021, I was detained under the charge of "insulting a government official." I was later sentenced to five years in a general-regime penal colony.

On September 11, 2025, I was forcibly taken out of Belarus to Lithuania. That's how I ended up in emigration — far from home, family, and everything that was very dear to me.

"I wrote asking for help, and they answered"

— How did you come to the foundation's shelter?

I learned about the shelter from an acquaintance. After my release, I had serious difficulties finding housing. He suggested reaching out to the foundation and sent me a link.

I wrote asking for help, and the team responded very quickly. That's how I ended up in the shelter.

"Everything you need to start life over is here"

— What does your life at the shelter look like?

In terms of everyday needs, everything is here. There's always food, you can cook, do laundry, use hygiene products and household supplies. When you're starting life almost from scratch, that matters enormously.

I work now, so I'm mostly at the shelter in the evenings. But the most important thing is the feeling of safety and support.

"People help the most"

— What helps you recover today?

First and foremost — people. Those who support you, care about you, and don't let you feel alone.

I also try to discover new places, travel, and get to know Lithuania. That helps me switch off, at least for a while.

But I miss home very often. My family stayed in Belarus, and that's the hardest part.

"Thank you for helping people start over"

— What would you like to say to the people who support the foundation and the shelter?

I want to sincerely thank everyone who helps repressed Belarusians and former political prisoners.

Many people lose almost everything after their release. And it's precisely because of this kind of support that they get the chance to take the first step toward a new life.

I hope that people who are forced to leave Belarus after their release will keep receiving help going forward. Unfortunately, many leave against their will.

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support us.

"I dream of going home"

— What do you dream about today?

More than anything, I dream of returning to my native Belarus — free of dictatorship and repression.

I want to be with my family again, to return to my home. I feel good here, but a foreign country is still a foreign country. Home would be so much better.

🤍 The shelter run by the "A Country to Live in" foundation helps former political prisoners and repressed Belarusians take their first steps after release and forced emigration.

Thanks to your support, people get not only safe housing, but also the chance to start life over.

Support our shelter 👉 https://www.stranafund.org/kampanii/shelter-campaign