Along with other charities, SAM Chernobyl Relief seeks to get alongside the people of Belarus to encourage and help in any ways we can to make life a bit more bearable for the people we meet. SAM is a Christian Charity seeking to show the love of God in word and action. Our motto is "Encourage one another and build each other up". (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Vitalik Mushinski was born in January, 1985. He was a healthy boy up to 1.5 years old and was raised at home. Later, after he went to a kindergarten, he started suffering from bronchitis regularly. Vitalik took a course of antibiotics. When he was 4 he found himself at a hospital and was treated for double pneumonia. The following summer he had a spa treatment at the seaside to improve his health condition. In 1991 Vitalik entered first form at a local school. At that time Vitalik was a lively boy full of energy. He liked riding bicycles and often swam in a river. In November 1992 his right leg began to hurt for the first time. A surgeon thought the boy had just bruised his leg. However the pain never stopped. In the course of time Vitalik was hospitalized with a diagnosis of rheumatoid poly-arthritis. He spent three months at the hospital taking hormone-containing drugs. Vitalik felt better for some time after this, but the pain has increased again every spring and autumn ever since. Every time Vitalik needed more observation in hospital. This was a periodical aggravation when Colin Mackenzie from Scotland visited the hospital with a charity mission. Vitalik's state was getting worse every year. It was hard for him to get to school so he's been continuing his studies at home ever since. At the age of 15 the bone destruction of his right hip joint started. In 2003 SAM invited Vitalik over to Scotland for a holiday and specialist advice. Both hips and knee joints needed placing if Vitalik was to have any mobility. Owing to the support of SAM all four operations have been successfully completed. On picture:
Vitalik at home after his 1st operation.
Vitalik Mushinski was born in January, 1985. He was a healthy boy up to 1.5 years old and was raised at home. Later, after he went to a kindergarten, he started suffering from bronchitis regularly. Vitalik took a course of antibiotics. When he was 4 he found himself at a hospital and was treated for double pneumonia. The following summer he had a spa treatment at the seaside to improve his health condition. In 1991 Vitalik entered first form at a local school. At that time Vitalik was a lively boy full of energy. He liked riding bicycles and often swam in a river. In November 1992 his right leg began to hurt for the first time. A surgeon thought the boy had just bruised his leg. However the pain never stopped. In the course of time Vitalik was hospitalized with a diagnosis of rheumatoid poly-arthritis. He spent three months at the hospital taking hormone-containing drugs. Vitalik felt better for some time after this, but the pain has increased again every spring and autumn ever since. Every time Vitalik needed more observation in hospital. This was a periodical aggravation when Colin Mackenzie from Scotland visited the hospital with a charity mission. Vitalik's state was getting worse every year. It was hard for him to get to school so he's been continuing his studies at home ever since. At the age of 15 the bone destruction of his right hip joint started. In 2003 
