Ilsur Metshin visits a new facility designed for children with intellectual disabilities

The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin visited the new center for social adaptation in the village of Bolshye Derbyshki on the banks of the Kazanka River. The Mayor inspected the living conditions of young people with intellectual disabilities and proposed to expand the site – to make a pier near the center with the rental of sap boards and a coffee point.

The center is located on the banks of the Kazanka River. Gulnara Galiakhmetova, the head of the center, shared her dream of building a small pier so that children with intellectual disabilities could swim safely. Ilsur Metshin supported the idea and suggested expanding it by organizing a board rental point — this would give the children an opportunity to earn their first money. “Let’s think about how to create a point of attraction here,” the Mayor said. “It’s not just about teaching the young people business skills — it’s also about enabling them to engage in real‑life communication and socialization.”

Center for Social Adaptation ‘BlagoDaru’ has been operating since 2019. It helps people with intellectual disabilities to integrate into society and independently lead their lives through the practice of accompanied living. The house in Derbyshki, acquired by the State Housing Fund on behalf of the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan, became the third such facility.

Major repairs have been completed in the three-storey building this year. Eight people live in it: one floor for girls, the other for boys, there is also a kitchen and a spacious living area. They have separate rooms – the center presents everything necessary. Gulnara Galiakhmetova notes that the main goal of specialists is to teach self-care skills.

Ilsur Metshin thanked the head, staff of the center and tutors for their contribution to the development of an inclusive environment. “In Kazan, under the auspices of Good Kazan and your center, a lot of important initiatives are being implemented, and more and more caring people are being involved. I am sincerely glad to see the results: your students are becoming more independent. I am also grateful to the employers who welcome them into their teams - this is the most important part of our work,”- said Ilsur Metshin.

Albina Hasanshina