16:56
The Salvation Army provides free shelter and support to travelers waiting in line at the border in Narva.
Priority shelter is given to families with children and elderly individuals.

There comes a moment in every traveler’s journey when the path becomes not only a physical challenge but also a moral one. Standing in a kilometer-long queue at the border, especially on a freezing winter day, it's hard to think of anything other than the cold and endless hours of waiting. However, since December 19, 2024, a new opportunity has opened for those caught in such a situation — a chance for warmth and care, provided by the Narva Corps of the Salvation Army.

Located just a kilometer from the border checkpoint at Kreenhölmi 16A, this Christian and Protestant organization welcomes those in dire need. Priority is given to families with children and elderly individuals. Inside the church’s warm rooms, travelers can rest, enjoy a cup of hot tea, charge their phones, and, in critical situations, even spend the night.

During the winter months, when queues at the border can stretch for hours, the Salvation Army’s assistance has become a lifeline for many. "We had a family reach out to us who will be arriving by bus at night. The mother will stand in the queue, while the children and father need a place to stay. This was our starting point," says Olga Roshka, head of the Narva Corps of the Salvation Army.

The church offers travelers not only shelter but also the warmth of human interaction. As explained by Alexei Burunov, the organization’s captain, this project was conceived before winter, when it became clear that such situations at the border were not uncommon. It is especially difficult for those who cannot afford a hotel and must stand outside with children or the elderly. "We decided we couldn’t just walk past, because as believers, we cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of others," he says.

Travelers stuck in the queue are offered several spaces to rest: a cafeteria, a lounge, and a children’s playroom. All of these have been prepared to help people return to a normal rhythm as quickly as possible. On cold days and nights, the Salvation Army is ready to accommodate up to 50 people, and if the temperatures drop further, the church’s doors will remain open. "We won’t turn people away if they have nowhere to sleep. We will take them in," assures Burunov.

This initiative is not just an act of goodwill but also a responsibility. As representatives of the Salvation Army note, it is a kind of experiment, which will continue until December 31, 2024. The organization seeks to understand how to best assist those in need and what is necessary to make this process more sustainable. The requests and needs of the people will form the basis for further development of the assistance program at the border.

Thus, in the heart of winter, when the trials at the border are especially harsh, the world becomes a little warmer thanks to initiatives like the Salvation Army's. And perhaps, this experience will inspire others to create similar havens of care and support for those who, despite all the hardships, continue their journey in search of a better life.

Contact phone: 53611849

Photo - gazeta.ee

Added By: NarvaNews Date: 21.12.2024
Total Comments: 0