We go to Irina Borisovna Hershkovich with flowers - today she turns eighty-three. However, this day cannot be called joyful and the reason for everything is the difficult condition of the client of the Hesed Besht Charity Fund. For several years in a row, she has been suffering from many diseases that have been pouring down on her like an avalanche. And although the woman has been stubbornly resisting adversity for many years, calling on the Almighty for help, more and more often she asks to ease her suffering by quickly reuniting with her ancestors in heaven.
The Bikur Holim community program, headed by public relations manager Lyudmila Shvartsman, takes care of people like Iryna Borisovna. The program's range of activities is designed to support elderly, sick, frail, and infirm single people. The Khmelnytskyi Charitable Foundation Hesed Besht supports Iryna Borisovna in every possible way. Even the time the patronage worker stays with her has been increased by two hours, since the woman's inability to cope with her needs directly threatens her life and remaining health. The foundation also provides the client with medications and rehabilitation equipment, helps provide qualified medical consultations, and ensures that she consumes healthy foods. But Iryna Borisovna flatly refused household services: according to her, all kinds of repairs take a lot of her nerves, so she does not need any improvements to her home.
Even people with a vivid imagination cannot comprehend the situation of a woman. Having lost her family and friends long ago, and having no descendants or relatives, Iryna Borisovna has to face a whole “bouquet” of troubles. Long-standing chronic problems with spinal curvature, oncological formations, problems with the digestive system, combined with the formation of a hernia, were supplemented by extensive cataracts, intestinal obstruction and many other concomitant diseases. She has already been subjected to destructive gamma-knife irradiation three times in several stages. A meager diet of mashed foods (solid food does not pass through the intestine) has to be generously “seasoned” with pills, drops and potions.
Despite this, Iryna Borisovna does not stop praying and believing. She does not see the calendar, but there is always someone next to her who will remind her of the time to light candles on Shabbat. Faithful friends call her (even from abroad), reminding and congratulating her on Jewish holidays. The woman remains sane and has a good memory, and I will add from myself that I have probably never heard so many words in Yiddish in everyday conversation from anyone.
It is also worth noting that Iryna Borisovna understands the importance of charity like no other. Being dependent on the kindness of others, the woman found a way to help those in need. And although her treatment costs a lot, by saving money, she managed to collect a significant amount of money, which she transferred to the account of our Foundation to help other people.
