Press releases

GLUSK DISTRICT, 28 December (BelTA) – Aide to the Belarus president for national security affairs Viktor Lukashenko and his family visited the foster family of Alfred and Tamara Saviny in the agro-town of Zayelitsa, Glusk District as part of the Our Children charity campaign, BelTA has learned.

It has become a good tradition for Viktor Lukashenko’s family to come visit a large family during the holiday season.

The Savin family currently raise seven foster children and five biological daughters. The family gathered in their home nest on the New Year’s Eve.

The Savins are a hospitable family and prepared for the visit in advance. The children made the gifts, including Christmas-themed ones.

The first foster son to the Savins was Valery who is now a tenth-grade school student. The family learned from mass media that the kid was abandoned by his mother. Both spouses decided to take him into foster care. Then there was Alesya. “At first I was against because I know how difficult it is to raise children. But my husband convinced me, instilled faith in me. Now I certainly have no regrets: children make us happier and fill our lives with meaning and creation. So much so that my husband and I hail from large families,” Tatyana Savina noted.

When asked how he manages to handle such a big family, Alfred Savin answered that he can count on the elder children. They enjoy playing with the younger kids and teaching them new things.

During today’s concert the children showcased their artistic abilities. They recited poetry, sang songs, told stories in English, danced and did some acting. Valery recited his own verses and promised to dedicate an entire poetry collection to his birthplace. By the way, Valery is fond of singing, doing sports and fishing and dreams of becoming a doctor. “I think I want to be a surgeon, because I want to help people. My hobbies are likely to remain hobbies helping me to find common ground with colleagues. Maybe, life has something different in store for me. I do not rule out a different scenario. I might as well become a singer or a poet,” he said.

Viktor Lukashenko with his wife and children brought toys, souvenirs and sweets to the kids. They tried to take into account everyone’s wishes and requests. “We often visit other people and it is not the first time we have been taking an active part in the Our Children charity campaign. However, this time we were stunned to see how happy, friendly and easy-going these children are. You are all very talented, you are strong when united, just like our state where family is the fundamental value,” Viktor Lukashenko said sharing his impressions.

According to Viktor Lukashenko’s wife Lilia, their family chooses to go outside Minsk every year, as the Belarusian capital is overpacked with various Christmas and New Year events. “We want this holiday to reach every family. We want every child to feel this New Year's magic and happiness. Every child, especially in large families, needs a miracle. It is important to have your own children. It takes a lot of courage and generosity to foster,” she said.

“New Year is a special holiday. Everyone wants to feel its special atmosphere. I want to wish all children self-confidence, success in all their endeavors, and also not to be afraid to try new things and achieve their goals,” Viktor Lukashenko’s son Alexander wished.

Showing the guests around the house, Tamara Savina said that their foster home was among the first to be set up in Glusk District in 2006. Over the time, she brought up 16 children, many of whom have already grown up and started their own families.

“We are a happy family. We are friendly and are ready to share our warmth and love with each other,” Alfred Savin said.