Germans who opted for alternative civilian service once went to help vulnerable people in countries devastated by the Nazis, including Russia and Belarus. Then Moscow started a new war in Europe.
From 1990 through the 2000s, Germans traveled to Russia and several other countries to perform alternative civilian service. German women came too, but as volunteers. They worked in hospitals, residential facilities for people with mental and neurological disabilities, and other care homes, and helped older people in their homes. One motivation was to atone for their ancestors’ guilt during World…
In 2011, Germany's alternative civilian service volunteers visited Russia and other nations to aid those affected by Nazi Germany's regime. Women were also among them, performing tasks such as working in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities. The aim was to atone for their ancestors' guilt during World War II and offer assistance to those who suffered under Nazi rule.
The Alternative Service for Peace (ASF) organization, founded in the late 1950s, facilitated these volunteer efforts abroad, working with NGOs, churches, and residential institutions in Russia and Belarus. While the program was not officially government-funded, donations allowed volunteers to cover their expenses. From 1990 to the 2000s, around 10-20 German volunteers per year were sent to Russia and Belarus, helping in various regions like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, and Perm, as well as Minsk.
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