“For the first time in many years, I believed in a miracle.” How Asia-Plus readers helped a lonely teacher from Khujand

In 2021, we told the story of Vasily Gusarov from Khujand — a distinguished civil engineer and physical education teacher who, in his old age, found himself alone, without electricity, decent housing, or the most basic living conditions.
That story generated an enormous response. People who wanted to help began writing to the editorial office. In the end, Vasily Fyodorovich received not only financial support, but also the attention and care he so desperately needed.
«Who am I to them? A lonely old Russian man…"Vasily Fyodorovich apologizes in advance for the inconvenience — the mess in the room, the cold, and the lack of a stool. He humbly offers shelled walnuts instead of hot tea. There is no light in the room — it was shut off due to large debts left by previous tenants.
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«It’s fine, I’ll sort everything out myself, I just need to prove that I wasn’t living here all that time,» says Vasily Fyodorovich. «I grew up in a boarding school, so I’m no stranger to spartan conditions. You can say all kinds of things, but here, take a look for yourself — all the documents are right here.»

                                          The folder contains several photographs from different years, certificates of merit, letters of appreciation, and a whole stack of letters with requests: help restoring stolen documents, assistance in obtaining housing, and applying for low-income status.
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«I’ve reached out to so many people. Honestly, I’m tired of it. Who am I to them? A lonely old Russian man,» the man waves his hand. «Someone else in my position would have long since taken their own life or drunk themselves to death.»

                                          Vasily Fyodorovich turned 68 that year, but thanks to his lifelong involvement in sports, he had kept himself in good physical shape. It was perhaps sport itself that gave him the strength to endure all of life’s hardships.
A Builder from a Boarding SchoolVasily Gusarov was born in Isfara. His parents divorced and divided the children between them. Vasily stayed with his mother, while his father took his two brothers. He and his mother lived in great poverty. He walked several kilometers to school on his first day of first grade, and at school he received a food ration as a low-income student.

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