BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/06/2009

Sponsor's update from Minsk (Maryina Gorka), Belarus

Child sponsorship Minsk, Belarus

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Minsk (Maryina Gorka), Belarus from Summer 2008.

Dear sponsor,

It is time again to share with you news about the children's village.

During the last half year, there was an addition to the population of the SOS Children's Village Maryina Gorka: a 4-year old girl by the name Katya found here her new home thus bringing the local children's crowd up to 89. Katya is a cheerful and smart kid, fond of singing and dancing as well as asking the SOS mother and all those surrounding her a thousand of questions a day.

63 children go to school. 29 most gifted of them attend a gymnasium (which is an advanced form of school education). 23 kids are under school age.

Learning is the children's principal 'job'. Kids admitted to the SOS Children's Village, as a rule, lag behind in their development and experience learning problems. Therefore we recruit school teachers to provide for additional classes for our children. Teaching methods used are meant not only to support the curriculum goals, but also to enhance the children's overall development. As a result, all children have successfully finished the school year 2007/2008.

Two elder children are already out of school and studying elsewhere. Georgy attends the Minsk Suvorov Military School (a high-school-level educational institution designed to prepare underage children for a regular military career; has been named after a famous Russian military commander of the 18th century). It wasn't easy for Georgy to get used to harsh military regimen and not to stay behind in class. He's been trying hard which didn't get unnoticed. Georgy got cited for his learning achievements by the school commandant. The boy proudly produced the commendation certificate to his SOS mother.

Spring in Belarus has been quite sunny this year, but not especially warm. We are particularly concerned about our children's health during this period. As a matter of preventive measures, they are provided vitamins. Those suffering from chronic problems are placed under regular medical check-up.

Events at Minsk, Belarus

The first half of the year 2008 was marked by a number of joyful holidays at the SOS-children's village: Christmas, Easter, Men's Day (23rd of February), Mothers' Day (8th of March). Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January in our country (according to the Orthodox calendar). There was a lot of presents and house to house Christmas carol singing: kids arrayed themselves not to be recognised and went singing and dancing around seeking sweets.

Vadim, who just turned 6 years, for the first time attended the New Year's Eve children's party arranged by the town administration and met there Santa Claus who carried a huge pot. Putting it under the Christmas tree he ordered the pot to 'cook' presents for children which he then handed out at the end of the party. At home, following Santa's example, Vadim ran to the kitchen, picked out the biggest and nicest from among the dishes, shoved it under the Christmas tree and sat down waiting for presents to fill the pot. It took the SOS mother quite an effort to persuade the boy that Christmas magic is Santa's privilege only:

We attempt to develop our children's talents from the earliest age possible. And they are really gifted! There are several hobby activities at the SOS village like clay modeling, aerobics, embroidery, music and dancing. 20 children attend the local arts school where they study choreography and acting, learn painting skills etc. Leonid who is 15 years old just graduated from this school having painted 24 pictures all in all. At the SOS-village, we decided to have an exhibition of Leonid's paintings naming it 'Simple Things'. It is just what our life and reality are about - simple things! But they acquire special meaning as a result of an artist's reflection. The exhibition has become an exiting event not only for the boy, but everybody whom he owes his success to: teachers, his SOS-mother and so on. Being disabled from his early childhood Leonid, none the less, goes in for sports and music and is his mother's principal helper around the house.

For the time being, we are getting ready for an international checkers tournament that will be held at the SOS village in June. Among those who announced their participation are teams from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. We hope for our children's success because many of them attend the local checkers club in Maryina Gorka and already have taken part in this kind of contest.

In June, we are going to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the SOS Children's Village Maryina Gorka. We can't wait to tell our visitors and guests about successes and achievements of our children's population as well as day-to-day life at the village.

Soon, the 3-month-summer vacation will begin. First month of that period, children are going to spend at the SOS village cleaning up and bringing in order family cottages and premises, repairing sports and playing ground facilities, taking care of flower beds. Then, many are going to take part in the river raft and boat journey, others will be going to the seaside. Some will spend time in sanatoria and spas undergoing medical treatment. And the end of August, everybody will be back and together, well rested and ready to start the new school year.

Early Abandonment Prevention Project Sponsor a child Minsk, Belarus

Over the last half year, some 409 people benefited from the project (148 adults and 261 children). Families were provided assistance as follows:

 legal counseling (6 families received legal advice in matters of housing, child support money and child allowance);

 psycho-therapeutic assistance (10 mothers went through an individual therapy course whereas another 15 women twice a month participated in psychological counseling on mother-and-child relations discussing those problems among themselves under the guidance and supervision of an expert);

 educational advice (15 pre-school children were involved in educational activities designed to enhance their memory as well as to develop their knowledge of the surrounding word);

 material and social assistance (families received food packages, bed linen and second-hand wear, in case of an acute necessity new things were purchased).

Setting up 'creativity shops' for children and mothers has become a new feature about the project. For many women, this kind of activity amounts to a quality rest and relaxation following tiresome household routine. 'Thanks a lot for such an opportunity, I didn't ever enjoy embroidery to such an extent', said one of the participating ladies. It is not about what and how they do, but about communication with each other and their children, expanding their horizon by exchanging and acquiring new knowledge.

Presentation of a jointly prepared play turned into a special event. As a result of a month-long hard work, there appeared a real spectacle called 'Brown Cow and Wolf'. Main acting characters were, of course, represented by mothers and children involved and benefiting from the project. SOS-CV children got also invited to the premiere, and everybody was absolutely enthusiastic and happy.

Dear Sponsor,

Not withstanding a huge distance between our countries, we feel your sympathy and warm humanly support. We deeply appreciate your keen interest and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help.

Wishing you a pleasant summer rest and recreation.

Yours Sincerely,

Aleh Seuruk,

Director

Source:

http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/maryina-gorka-2008-update.htm

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