The ‘Leaves of Hope’ charity was established seven years ago to support the children in Unit 5 of Novinki State Orphanage in Minsk and to undertake some limited refurbishment. At the time there were some 33,000 children being brought up in orphanages across Belarus. The numbers had doubled in the preceding ten years and the rate was continuing to rise. A number of factors were contributing to the problem. Belarus was the region hardest hit by the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, the effects of which will be felt for many years to come. Additionally the country has been tackling a cycle of economic depression fuelled by a high proportion of people living below the poverty line. The children of Belarus are victims. They are victims of poverty, ill health and a political regime that has discouraged economic investment and development.
Many of the children living in orphanages are considered to be ‘social orphans’, children whose parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. Child neglect, child abuse and high divorce rates present additional problems, issues that the Belarusian Government are now trying to tackle.
Since these early days the charity has widened the scope of its work considerably. The huge effort and commitment of the many volunteers is having a lasting impact on the lives of orphaned children living in Belarus.
In 2000 the charity began to develop fostering as an alternative to orphanage care. Now, well over 1,000 children have been placed in suitable foster homes and the rate of admission to orphanages is beginning to drop.
As with much of the work done by the charity, the help doesn’t stop there. The reality that many willing Foster Families are themselves very poor causes problems of its own. ‘Leaves of Hope’ has provided material support to ensure that the help extends to the family and not just the children being fostered. This all helps towards the creation of a safe, secure and loving environment for these orphaned children to call home. Some of the help offered to families has included the buying of livestock, washing machines and fridge-freezers.
Others projects have included the delivery of a portacabin to Novinki that is now being used as a music room, redecoration work at the Minsk Regional District Hospital, and partnership working with Belarusian Ministries to provide a range of early years development programmes for professionals.
How can you help?
Leaves of Hope’ attempt to run two convoys each year to take much needed supplies out to Belarus. To find out how you can help visit the charities website: www.leaves-of-hope.co.uk
