Belarussian Orphanage Project

Love . Dignity . Integrity . Respect
Text Box: 1. Spring Project... To visit Belarus in the Spring and especially to visit the Orphanages and Institutions, signals the beginning of a new year and new projects. The Spring Project occurs Easter week and the week following Easter. With both groups in Minsk on Easter Sunday. The groups are made up of 10 volunteers and this is a trip for both those repeat volunteers who have already been to Belarus on a previous project and new volunteers, who cannot travel at any other time of the year. Each project is of 7 days in duration and the group will fly from Ireland to Minsk via Frankfurt. During their time in Minsk the volunteers will visit 4 institutions in which BOP work but will focus on the kids in Novinki Orphanage. The Children and adult residents will have been confined indoors for most of the previous 6 months as the White Russian winter restricted them from venturing outside. On many occasions, BOP volunteers arrive in Minsk while there is still a blanket of snow covering the ground and this adds to the atmosphere. The time of travel is determined by the dates of the Irish Easter as the Belarussian Orthodox Easter sometimes coincide. There is a palpable ‘Air of Excitement’ as the ‘redshirts’ return for yet another project and the kids know that the big summer projects are not far away. The fact that painting real Easter Eggs and attending ceremonies where candles are lit and Easter Cakes Blessed means that you are immersed in the traditional Belarussian Easter. With much of the programme centered on Novinki, the remainder of the week will be spent visiting Draznia, Viacha and the new centre at Semashko and working side by side on a hands on experience with the residents in our Therapy Centres. Spring is also a re-awaking of the social scene in Minsk and after a hard days work, volunteers can attend the Bolshoi Ballet or Opera or take a group of kids/residents to the State Circus. If the snow is still in abundance then there is the opportunity of going skiing in the former Olympic ski village of Raubichi or on the slopes of Silichi. Dates for Spring (Easter) projects (including the closing date for applications) are available from the Applications / Dates page. 2. Builders Project… ON the occasion that BOP is undertaking a construction project we put together a special team. There are generally 8-10 members per team.. Including builders assistants (those with little experience but willing to help!) The trips are generally for one week. To apply for these trips volunteers are asked to complete the application form on this site and forward it to us by email to; bop1@eircom.net where we put it on file until the projects are finalised and the dates set. We then host an information seminar and interviews. Successful candidates are then asked to submit references, complete fundraising and get the appropriate medical clearance certificates the trip becomes a reality and volunteers find themselves winging their way to Minsk. The building leader travels in advance of the group to prepare the projects.

Spring Projects (+ Building Projects)

Volunteering in Belarus during Easter and Spring or as part of our Building Teams.
Text Box: To Contact BOP; Belarussian Orphanage Project, 3a Rope Walk, Convent Avenue, Blackrock, Cork City, Ireland. Email; bop1@eircom.net Tel; (+353) 21 4359054 Registered Charity (CHY16092) Keep up to date with BOP projects on facebook; www.facebook.com/belarussianorphanageproject
Text Box: Our Bank details for donations; Belarussian Orphanage Project; Bank; Allied Irish Bank, Blackrock Road, Cork City, Ireland Sorting Code; 93-41-78 Account Number; 92469093 (For international donations; Swift/Bic code; aibkie2d Iban; ie05 aibk 9341 7892 4690 93) If donating to a particular project please email us at bop1@eircom.net with instructions as to which project you nominate your donation to go to.