Press releases

MINSK, 26 December (BelTA) - Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich visited children's home No.5 in Minsk on 25 December as part of the nationwide campaign Our Children, BelTA has learned.

Mikhail Myasnikovich talked to the teachers and children, asked the kids about their academic successes and plans for the future.

On leaving the children’s home the students work hard to adapt to living independently. Not only teachers but also concerned people help them with that. The volunteers help children learn the necessary household skills, engage in sports.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, great social work of ordinary citizens gets insufficient attention today. These people deserve praise and support for helping the children in difficult life situations. “Such people are becoming more. This shows that our society is getting more mature. People are not indifferent to the children who, due to a number of circumstances, found themselves in a difficult situation,” he said.

In Belarus there are about 20,000 orphans, of whom 88% are social orphans. Their parents are unable, for one reason or another, to raise their children or have been deprived of parental rights.

The children were treated to a colorful New Year performance and a concert by students of the Belarusian State Academy of Music.

The speaker of the upper house of parliament wished the children and teachers happy new year and gave them gifts: a computer with a printer, candies and football balls.

In recent years children's home No. 5 has been a regular participant of futsal competitions. They are two-time winners of the national tournament in mini-football among teams of children's homes, boarding schools and children's villages, 2016 and 2017 respectively. The kids also participate in district, municipal and nationwide fine and decorative arts competitions.

The Our Children campaign which is held under the patronage of the Belarusian president will run from 11 December 2017 through 10 January 2018. Charity New Year parties for children will traditionally take place in every region of the country with the participation of heads of government bodies and local executive authorities. The holidays will be arranged in every small and large populated locality of Belarus.

The organizers aspire to offer care and attention to every child. The campaign encompasses the whole society: ministries, departments, public associations, businessmen, and individuals. They help arrange New Year holidays and also make donations.