Svetlana

In Russia, people have a lot of prejudice towards people with mental disorders.

They are not considered full-fledged people with abilities to learn and socialize,

they stay unemployed. But there is a place where everything is different.

«Svetlana» is a unique social village in Russia, Leningrad Oblast. It was started with financial help from the Norwegian Camphill Movement, which was inspired by a Russian mother named Svetlana who had a child with special needs. The mother died in 1991, the year before the village was started, and the community was named in her honor. This village gives an opportunity for people with different mental disorders to live free and be supported by tutors and volunteers. However, for the residents these roles mean nothing. This place is not a boarding school or a clinic. No one is controlled and the doors are always opened. Residents don’t draw a line between «healthy» — «unhealthy», «normal» – «abnormal». Everyone is valued as an individual. Capabilities and abilities are the only things that matter. Residents believe in the person you can become in spite of your past time.

«Svetlana» is the community of nearly 40 residents. They live in four large houses,

have a garden, a farm, a bakery, a carpentry etc. The residents are living off the

subsistence farming and work despite their differences. Villagers are served five

meals a day, visit sauna on weekends and do the plays on holidays. People with

special needs are free to go out, work, have friends and fall in love. They can

realize themselves in any employment or creative activities. For example, at first

some residents could not even hold a spoon, but now bake bread for all the

habitants of the village or get engaged in the performances.