Humanitarian cooperation
Foreign diplomats visit Donbass children recuperating in Belarus’ Novopolotsk
NOVOPOLOTSK, 4 October (BelTA) - Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Belarus got familiar with the recuperation conditions provided to children from Lisichansk and Severodonetsk in Belarus’ Novopolotsk, BelTA has learned.
The visit began with a dormitory where the children were supposed to stay for three weeks. The diplomats praised the accommodation conditions as highly comfortable. The children have at their disposal cozy rooms, kitchens, common halls and many more. The children can spend their free time here playing checkers, chess or table tennis.
During their stay in Novopolotsk, the children have been distributed among several local educational institutions, where they have been studying together with local students. On weekends, the children stayed with Belarusian families. On the first days of their stay each child underwent medical examinations. Those who required benefited from additional examinations and recommendations. The diplomats also visited the Early Intervention Center of the Novopolotsk City Central Hospital, where they checked the state of health of every child who came to Belarus from Donbass.
“When we read and heard some myths about deportation, forced displacement of children - these topics were raised for hype - we believed it was not true. Today we were convinced that it was an outright lie. The children came here willingly, prepared the necessary documents for the trip. Here the children have been welcomed with warmth and love, and they have learned a lot during their stay. In general, what the residents of Novopolotsk and all those involved in this program are doing is a pure feat,” Minister Counselor of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Belarus Luo Shixiong said.
The children from Severodonetsk and Lisichansk, and there are 44 of them visiting Novopolotsk from 19 September to 6 October, admit that their stay in Belarus has been eventful and action-packed. “It was really cool here! We have been taken to different rides since the very first day. I have tried ice skating here for the first time in my life. We also got many sweets! I am very glad that I was able to travel here. I am just overwhelmed with positive emotions,” Emilia Kovalenko from Severodonetsk said.
According to the school student, the trip helped her get distracted from her home environment and enjoy the silence. “At home, we often hear the sounds of shelling, bombs exploding. Here it is so quiet here and it still feels unusual, even though we have been here for almost three weeks,” the girl said.
The young resident of Severodonetsk, like the other children, will bring home much more luggage than she originally had. Part of the space in her suitcase will be taken up by numerous sweets and gifts that were given to the children during their stay in Belarus.
Children from the regions of Donbass arrived in Belarus on vacation almost three weeks ago with the support of the charitable foundation of public figure, Paralympic athlete and motivational speaker Aleksei Talai. The program of the stay in Belarus includes sightseeing, sports, entertainment and health rehabilitation events. Novopolotsk has hosted children from Donbass for the second time.
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