Belarussian Orphanage Project

Love . Dignity . Integrity . Respect

Belarussian Orphanage Project Founder, Ed Jordan gives some brief impressions of Belarus and Minsk..

Between 1996 and 2002 I spent an average of 5 months a year in Minsk. From 2002 to 2008 I lived there on a permanent basis as a full time BOP Volunteer to supervise and coordinate our ever expanding humanitarian work. I do not purport to be an authority on Belarus though I did work there during a transition period for its people.

Belarus and Minsk are often portrayed as an austere, cold and poor place desperately in need of aid, help and assistance.

For me this was once the case, but over the past few years I have watched, worked and lived in one of the most progressive and beautiful  and complicated countries in Eastern Europe.

Belarus is situated just east of Poland and the E.U. and is the first of the former Soviet territories as you travel towards Russia and Moscow. It is about twice the size of Ireland and is an incredibly flat country. ‘Belarus’ translates to ‘Bela’-white and ‘Rus’-Russia and it derives this name from both the incredible vast whiteness of its territory in winter and its production of flour from its agricultural sector. The national flag is one third green to represent that one third of the country is covered in forestry!.  The Climate in summer is Hot and dry (+25 degree average) and in winter is cold and dry (-10 degree average) and covered in a deep blanket of powder snow. Though the country was profoundly affected by both the Chernobyl Accident ( BOP does not work in any area affected by the Chernobyl accident and our volunteers do not travel or work in the radiation ‘purple’ zone ) and the collapse of the economy after the break up of the Soviet Empire, the country and its determined peoples have worked hard to rebuild its unique culture and its singular identity.

B.O.P’s projects are based in Minsk, the capital and it is here that we have our 4 main institutions. The City is seen as the ‘Prague of the East’ for its wide, tree lined avenues, its clear lakes and its reputation for its cleanliness. Iconographic buildings fill the capital, including the National Library, Dynamo Stadium, the post World War 2 architecture of Nezavisimisti Prospect and the heritage areas of the Troitskoya’ or Old town. There is also Ozertso/Menka where you can walk through villages which take you back in time to the Slavic and Teutonic Black Knight periods or visit Haitin where you can bear witness to the tragedy and suffering that occurred in Belarus during the ‘Great Patriotic War’. The city’s infrastructure is both efficient and shows evidence of forward planning—Minsk was reconstructed from 1944 to 1955 in preparation for the new Millennium and now has a population of almost 2 million. Busses, Metro, Trams, Trains and Taxis work efficiently (and cheaply) to get you to your destination on time.

People work hard and conscientiously for the greater good of the city and the country participating in annual ‘subotniks’ where we all work hard in our living and work communities without pay, to clear, clean and create gardens for everyone's enjoyment. The City contains many Parks filled with Fountains, Monuments and walkways dedicated to those of historical significance (Puskin, Yanka Kupala, Skoriny, Gorky and Yacob Kollis) and to the many heroes of the war in which a large number of its citizens perished. In the suburbs there are pristine lakes and woods where the citizens of the city spend their Spring and Summer afternoons. In Winter it’s time to  skate in the city and skiing and sledging in the countryside with the manmade Ski slopes open to all at Raubichi and Silichi and if that too cold for you there are dozens of public and private Banyas (saunas) where you can go to warm up your bones!

Though I witness everyday that economically the City is changing I cannot comment on changes in towns and villages outside of Minsk. The Capital is a major attraction to the young college and university students with some of Europe's best education facilities open to all citizens of the Republic.

The City has also become a shoppers paradise, especially for foreigners (and volunteers) who snap up bargains in DVD’s, and C.D’s, clothing, shoes and general products many of which are not available outside of Belarus, (The City is renowned for its production of Televisions, Watches and Tractors!) and of course there is a wide variety of food.. Traditional foods such as Blini (pancakes), Draniki (Potato Pancakes) and Pelmeni ( Dumplings) are healthy options and there are also hundreds of restaurants catering to more western tastes.. And if McDonalds is your desire, then volunteers will witness the fact that’s its fare is some of the best they have ever eaten!! And to those who have experienced ‘shaslik’ (BBQ)… indescribable..

Overall Belarus and Minsk gives one opportunity to look through a window of time to a different culture, seeing a vibrant, beautiful city and country.   see ‘links’ page for more info

Belarus… (White Russia) and the Capital City Minsk