June 28, 2012 Chechnya

Movsar Abdějev, the story of a poor Chechen family

Movsar Abdějev was born in 1960 in Kazakhstan as a descendant of the Chechens, whom Stalin moved after World War II. The situation began to end in 1953 after Stalin's death, when after several years the Chechen exiles, including Movsar’s family, could go back home to Chechnya.

Movsar was trained to become a construction worker and worked as a welder, a crane operator, a bricklayer, and other blue-collar professions. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union, his family lived quite happily. Then the war came and living conditions in Chechnya became intolerable. At this time, Movsar got married. He and his wife Raisa now have eight children, aged from 2.5 to 15 years. Raisa has unfortunately been unemployed for a long time.

Another disaster befell Movsar in 2007, when he got sick with cataracts and became temporarily blind. Over the next three years, he underwent two operations and his vision partially returned. Due to these health problems, he has ended up on disability pension and with no job, because he is at risk of losing his eyesight when he does any great physical activity.

To make matters worse, the family lost a roof over their heads in March of this year. They had to leave because of the high rent. Fortunately, they managed to get a piece of land from the local administration and Movsar built a simple shelter for the family, which is open for now and non-insulated. So far the family does not know how they will survive the winter.

Thanks to Czech donors who have contributed to the collection of Caritas CR’s individual help, Movsar can send his second youngest child to school. His family was in a really bad situation, so he is very grateful for this help. He sends his greetings to the Czech Republic and sincere thanks to all donors.