The Belarussian Orphanage Project is a voluntary registered Charity working to meet the needs of differently-abled Children and Adults in Institutions and Orphanages in Minsk, Belarus.

 

In 1996, when we became aware of the Dickensian conditions existing in Institutional Care in Belarus, we commenced working on many levels to identify and meet the holistic needs of over 2000 differently-abled children and adults.

 

Over 1200 volunteers have traveled to Belarus and worked with us in Minsk and the results of their work has vastly improved not only the environment in which the residents live, but also the quality of life of all those in our care.

Details of our 8-10-12-14-28 day projects can be found in our Application Form Page.

 

Our Volunteers participate in special projects throughout the year but especially during the summer months, aimed at providing the residents of the 5 institutions in which we work, with a break from their institutionalisation, by organising activity programmes, summer camps, day trips and general ‘good fun’ projects in the Minsk region. We have witnessed first hand the negative side of selecting individual children for trips abroad which results in the further rejection of those left behind and therefore it is our policy to bring the fun to all the children in our care by organising groups of volunteers to  travel to Minsk and therefore bring the fun to them by organising programmes and projects in Belarus. By doing so we reduce both the trauma associated with international travel on kids who have never been more than a few miles from their orphanages and also facilitate the children by getting them to explore their own culture, society and environment and life outside the walls of their institution.

The challenge for our team of Volunteers is to integrate into Belarussian culture by learning the history and sociology of the country and participate in a project with kids and adults who appreciate their commitment and dedication.

 

‘Every picture tells a story...’

This site features photographs of many areas of our work and the many volunteers who make up our dynamic charity. Every photograph is taken with the dignity and integrity of ‘those in our care’ in mind and create a very real ‘picture’ of the work of the Belarussian Orphanage Project in Ireland and Belarus.

The sheer enthusiasm and fun aspect of our work is very evident throughout and if you get the ‘feelgood’ factor, then maybe volunteering with us and contributing to the improved lives of our kids and adults is for you. Read on and we hope all your questions will be answered in the many areas of this site.

We also show you a more detailed picture of our work in the Novinki and Ivanyets Orphanages and the Draznia and Viacha Institutions and the new institution at Semashko all of which are in the Minsk region of Belarus. This will give a more detailed insight into both our everyday work and the projects we have completed since our inception and dispel much of the misinformation that exists about these institutions.

It is impossible to list all of these changes, from the construction of playgrounds and gardens, renovation of classrooms and dayrooms, building of Therapy Centers, Medical Infirmaries, Libraries, Solarium, but one of our main achievements to date is the employment of over 28 fully trained Belarussian Teachers, Nurses, Therapists and Carers who endeavor to meet the developmental needs of the children on a day to day basis when BOP volunteers are not present.

 

This site is not about the presentation of a negative image of both our kids and of Belarus with the target being to use ‘grief’ to lure volunteers into our charity.. This is not what we are about.. Our aims are clearly outlined in 4 words..

Love, Dignity, Integrity and Respect;

Love.. for those in our care..

Irrespective if you are a psychologist or a  transition year student.. If you are 16 to 75, have 2 arms and a big heart and a love of adventure and of differently-abled people, then that’s the only qualification we require.

Dignity.. We, by loving our kids and adults, will protect their dignity at all times and will not resort to distorting their truth in an attempt to get the ‘sympathy vote’ and therefore generate funds.. The truth of these photographs dispel the myth of the children being in a state of crisis.. And that Belarus is a country ‘on its knees’. There are of course problems in every society.. both theirs and yours, but if we do not strive to protect their dignity then who will???

Integrity.. Belarus is a country with a strong and ancient culture, somewhat different to other cultures around the world. The people have great integrity and pride in their history and their country and we must acknowledge this and recognise that cultural integrity of a country and its people must be respected, not exploited with embellishments and lies. Perpetuating the real story of life in Belarus has always been one of B.O.P’s aims and as a charity we have been called ‘the most stable partner’ at the highest levels of the Belarussian Administration.

Respect.. 

Respect for the many children and adults in institutional care who see us as their partners and friends …

Respect for the many people who work as volunteers on our behalf in Belarus, Ireland and all over the world…

Respect for the cultural differences in Belarus and to acknowledge that we are not Belarussian but partners with the administration in trying to provide the very best..

Respect for those gone before us and those who are willing to give up so much of their time for our kids and our projects. 

 

A ‘Hand Up’ not a ‘Hand Out’….

To contact us;

Belarussian Orphanage Project,

3a Rope Walk, Convent Avenue,

Blackrock, Cork City, Ireland.

email: bop1@eircom.net 

Tel; (+353) 21 4359054

Belarussian Orphanage Project

(Inc; Partners in Care Sri Lanka)

Are you interested in working with

Differently – abled children and adults in our Orphanages, Schools and Institutions in Belarus

or Sri Lanka?

 

If so go to the

‘Volunteering in Belarus’ .. ‘Dates / Application Form’ or Partner in Care / links pages of this site to find how to apply and for further Information