In the Orthodox summer settlement of “Nezabudka” (“Forget-Me-Not”), life is full and lively: team games, sports, hikes, creative evenings, shared work, and prayer. Here, children not only rest but learn to live alongside one another — to cooperate, resolve conflicts, take responsibility, and care for others. In a world increasingly shaped by screens and virtual communication, real human interaction becomes especially precious. Sister Tatiana Abramova, the senior sister of the settlement, reflects on modern children, their struggles and joys, and the quiet transformations that unfold over the course of the summer.
“This year, eighty children came to the first summer session at Nezabudka,” Sister Tatiana says. “Alongside children from Belarus, we welcomed Russian-speaking families from Spain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Russia.
“Some children arrived rather withdrawn and hesitant at first. Over time, though, you could see them gradually open up. Shared work, games, hikes, and simply living together help children relax and learn how to communicate again in a natural way.”
The days at Nezabudka are filled with activity: relay races, volleyball matches, chess and draughts tournaments, hiking trips — sometimes quite demanding ones — creative workshops, talent evenings, storytelling days, and team challenges. Some children practise horse riding as well. All of it helps the children discover abilities they may never have noticed in themselves before.
But camp life is not only about recreation.
“At Nezabudka, children also learn to serve one another,” says Sister Tatiana. “Meals need to be cooked, dishes washed, firewood carried, tents cleaned. Many children arrive unused to even simple everyday tasks — folding clothes, peeling potatoes, washing dishes. At first it can be difficult. But after some time, the same child who struggled to light a fire can already do it confidently with just a few matches.”
This year, five of the children were not baptised. Two boys returned for a second summer in a row and told the sisters: “We are choosing faith.” Three girls from one family are preparing for Baptism after praying with the others, attending church services, and speaking openly about their longing to receive Holy Communion.
“I hope that soon their wish will be fulfilled,” Sister Tatiana says quietly.
Life at Nezabudka follows a shared rhythm: morning and evening prayers, obediences, meals, games, and common responsibilities. Gradually, the children become deeply attached to one another.
Of course, this does not happen without difficulties.
“Children come with very different characters and habits,” Sister Tatiana explains. “Some struggle with work, others with communication. Sometimes conflicts arise, and we have to help children work through them together. It is not always easy, but learning how to listen, forgive, and find peace with others becomes a foundation for later life as well.”
One girl at the camp stood out immediately as a strong and forceful personality. She naturally took command of her group and began imposing her own rules on the other children. At first, they obeyed her, but eventually resentment began to build.
“The easiest solution would have been simply to send her home,” Sister Tatiana recalls. “But adolescence is a difficult age. Protest, intensity, strong emotions — all of this is natural. Children need guidance, conversation, and boundaries, not rejection.”
Then something unexpected happened.
A quiet, timid girl who struggled to connect with the others was moved into the same group. The strong-willed girl suddenly became fiercely protective of her.
“She said, ‘Everyone keeps hurting her. I won’t hurt her, because I’m for justice.’ And from that moment she began taking care of the quieter child.”
Little by little, both girls changed: the timid child became calmer and more secure, while the natural leader herself grew gentler and more attentive to others.
“These are the moments that amaze you,” Sister Tatiana says. “You see how much good there is in children when someone helps direct their strength in the right way.”
Another incident remained especially memorable for her.
One girl found it extremely difficult to wash dishes and adapt to camp routines. The other children became frustrated and demanded that she be excluded from their group.
“In many ways, this reflects what often happens in society,” Sister Tatiana says. “When someone cannot keep up with others, people are tempted to push them aside.”
Instead, the sisters challenged the children differently.
“We asked them: ‘Are you strong?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ Then we said: ‘If you are strong, then help carry the weakness of someone who cannot manage alone.’”
Gradually, the atmosphere changed. Children who had once shouted, “Let her leave!” began speaking kindly to the girl and helping her with chores. Before long, she was washing pots alongside the others.
“Strong people can either oppress the weak or support them,” Sister Tatiana reflects. “Children reveal this very clearly.”
Sister Tatiana believes that children are shaped not only by rules, but above all by personal example.
She recalls one boy who constantly avoided kitchen duty. Every time he was assigned to help, he would disappear within minutes.
Then, on the final day of camp, while everyone else was packing to go home, Sister Tatiana quietly stayed behind washing dishes alone.
“And suddenly,” she says, “that same boy came and started helping me. No one asked him to. He simply came.”
For her, that moment became deeply moving.
She also remembers another counsellor who often washed dishes himself while the children played volleyball.
“At first I thought: ‘Why is he doing all the work himself?’ But after some time, his children became the most willing helpers of all. They worked quickly, joyfully, and without complaining. They learned because he first took the burden onto himself.”
“Our expectations may sometimes seem high,” Sister Tatiana admits. “But our goal is simple: we want children to learn how to give way to one another, make peace, forgive, and care for each other.”
“Nezabudka is like one large Orthodox family,” says Sister Tatiana.
Many children return year after year, and over time a strong inner core has formed among them — older children whose spirit and example naturally influence the newcomers.
“The younger children watch the older ones very carefully,” she says. “And later they themselves begin passing those same habits and attitudes on to others.”
Every evening after prayers, the children make a small procession around the tent camp. Carrying lanterns and singing prayers beside an improvised bell, they walk together through the dusk.
“It becomes a moment of unity,” Sister Tatiana says.
The children also attend church services together and participate in the Divine Liturgy.
“I often tell them: we may have games, hikes, and many interesting activities here. But what truly unites us is Holy Communion.”
One of the things that especially concerned the sisters this year was how deeply modern media culture shapes children’s imaginations and emotional lives.
Nezabudka has a tradition called “Fairy Tale Day,” when the older children stage performances for the younger ones. In previous years, children gladly acted out traditional stories with clear heroes and villains. But this year many wanted darker fantasy characters inspired by modern films and online culture.
“What struck me most was not even the characters themselves,” Sister Tatiana reflects, “but something deeper — a sadness, a heaviness I suddenly noticed in some children I had known for years.”
Children today absorb enormous amounts of information, imagery, and emotion from the world around them. Much of it remains unspoken but leaves a mark on the heart.
“That made me realise something important,” she says. “Adults need to understand the world children are living in. We cannot simply forbid things or dismiss them. We have to remain close enough that children trust us and are willing to speak openly.”
Otherwise, she says, children will search elsewhere for answers, guidance, and understanding.
“Children are naturally open to everything new. That openness is part of how they grow. Our task is not simply to shield them, but to help guide that openness toward what is good and life-giving.”
And in the end, she adds, no effort can bear fruit without God’s help.
“I think only the Lord can truly protect a child — and, indeed, any human being. If a person sincerely seeks Him and comes to Holy Communion, the Holy Spirit will lead them where they need to go.”
Interview by Darya Goncharova
Photographs by Maxim Chernogolov
