May dreams come true

The large nationwide marathon of kindness not only gifted attention and the joy of communication to children and the elderly, but also provided concrete support

To ensure that the New Year holidays — with Christmas trees, presents and surprises — reach everyone, it is especially important to give care and good cheer to those who spend these days away from home and deprived of family warmth. Orphanages, boarding schools, hospitals and care homes for the elderly opened their doors to participants of the Our Children and From the Bottom of Our Hearts charity events, held under the patronage of the President of Belarus.

At Islochanka social care home in agro-town of Rakov, Volozhin District                                       Aleksandr Kulevsky

In anticipation of Orthodox Christmas, representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) visited the residents of the Islochanka social care home in the agro-town of Rakov, Volozhin District. Welcoming the guests, Alyona Mentiuk, Director at the Islochanka care home, emphasised the importance of human participation, 

“Every visit from guests is a huge celebration for our residents. We are grateful for the From the Bottom of Our Hearts campaign and people with kind hearts. It is essential for us not only to provide round-the-clock care and medical assistance, but also to fill the lives of our residents with meaning.”

Islochanka is more like a cosy village than a typical boarding institution. In addition to comfortable living conditions, it boasts infrastructure for pastime and creativity: a work therapy room, greenhouses, an orchard, as well as knitting, beadwork, theatre and dance clubs. In one of the bright rooms, an embroidery class was in progress. Among the craftswomen was Natalya Anasovich, who has been living in the care home for 21 years. She shared, “I really like it here. We are treated well, and the nature around us is beautiful. When guests come, there is no limit to joy! Everyone wants to chat and talk about themselves.” 

At Islochanka social care home in agro-town of Rakov, Volozhin District                                    Aleksandr Kulevsky

Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Yuri Senko was impressed by the level of landscaping and atmosphere, “In a socially oriented state like Belarus, everything is done for the people. The From the Bottom of Our Hearts campaign is a clear confirmation of this. Last year alone, trade union activists carried out about 500 activities to support those in difficult life situations. The state creates the basic conditions, and our common task is to add human warmth and participation to this.”  
Following the established tradition, the trade union delegation did not arrive empty-handed — each resident received gifts. However, the main surprise was a certificate for the construction of a spacious gazebo on the grounds of the residential care home.

    








At city centre for palliative care in Minsk. Photos provided by Healthcare Ministry’s press service 

Employees of Belarus’ Healthcare Ministry, headed by Minister Aleksandr Khodzhayev, visited the city centre for palliative care in Minsk as part of the From the Bottom of Our Hearts campaign. Palliative care is not only medical support, but also proof that a person is never left alone. “The From the Bottom of Our Hearts campaign, initiated by the President, takes place every year and demonstrates that no citizen in need of state attention will be deprived of it,” stressed Aleksandr Khodzhayev and addressed the centre’s employees. “You have a huge heart — caring, open, ready to share someone else’s pain and give hope. We often look for role models in science, religion or philosophy, but the real school of humanity is here — among those who know how to be there in the most difficult moments.”
Belarus’ Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Artur Karpovich visited the round-the-clock care unit for elderly and disabled citizens in the town of Postavy and presented a washing machine as a gift.
The unit is home to 20 people, whose average age is 76 years. Each has their own difficult story. Having lived a vibrant life, accompanying her military husband to different parts of the world, Maya Gomzyakova found peace and care in this social institution two years ago. She confessed, 

“I am grateful to fate. I am surrounded by kindness and empathy here. It is a great joy for us when guests visit us. It is a real happiness to know that you are not alone.”

  Our socially oriented state pays great attention to elderly and lonely people, and our common goal is to make sure that every person, even when away from family, feels at home, as noted by the head of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART). Artur Karpovich expressed his gratitude to the staff of the institution, especially noting the heartfelt warmth and dedication with which its employees create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility for the residents.
Support came not only from the ministry. The military hospital of the border service presented the care unit in Postavy with a certificate for personal hygiene products, and the Rassvet Postavsky and Postavymebel enterprises granted their certificates for furniture and necessary tools.
Chairman of Belarus’ State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky took part in the Our Children charity campaign. He arrived at the social and pedagogical centre of the Oktyabrsky District in Mogilev with sweet gifts and a certificate for the purchase of footwear for the children. According to the guest, visiting the social and pedagogical centre in Mogilev has already become a tradition, “We are happy to participate in the campaign, which has been held for 30 years now. It is crucial to support children who spend these holidays without mums and dads. Their present and future depends on us, adults. Miracles are in our hands: the more effort we put in, the better and more beautiful our beloved Belarus will be.”

   










          
Thirteen-year-old Sergei Poddevalin has been in the centre for a month and a half, with his brothers — seven-year-old Vitya and five-year-old Yarik. He disclosed, “I have two dreams: to become a professional footballer, and to return home to my mum and dad in the near future.”
Reuniting with their families is the main desire of all children staying at the social and pedagogical centre, 35 of whom are aged between three and seventeen years. This is exactly what the customs officers, who prepared a Father Frost’s Magic Bag fairy-tale performance for the kids, wished the boys and girls.

According to reports from our correspondents