More than 500 participants gathered for the regional campaign «From the bottom of the heart» in Vitebsk
The campaign is being held in Belarus for the second year in a row on the initiative of the head of state, this time from December 26, 2023 to January 15, 2024. It was preceded by the "New Year's Mood" relay, during which social service institutions and the homes of elderly people were decorated. For the second week, news of festive concerts, home visits to respected people, presentation of New Year's gifts, and unusual events have been coming from cities, agro-towns, and even remote villages. Social protection, education, and culture institutions, enterprises where elderly citizens previously worked, public associations, and volunteers are actively participating. The "From the bottom of our hearts" campaign has become a people's initiative, a worthy continuation of the traditions of the charitable initiative "Our Children."
– These events make us human, – said the chairman of the regional executive committee, Alexander Subbotin. – For children, this is, first and foremost, education. The second part is no less important, attention to veterans who have dedicated most of their lives to ensure that we live in a wonderful country and continue to develop it. The campaigns unite society and show that we have a continuity of generations.
Along with representatives of the "golden" age, congratulations were addressed to those who are close to them by duty and by heart – employees of the region's social protection system. On the eve of their professional holiday and the 105th anniversary of the Ministry of Labor system, dozens of conscientious professionals received well-deserved awards.
Social protection is one of the main functions of our state. Caring for the elderly and those with health problems or in difficult life situations is the impulse of every normal person. However, only people with big hearts are capable of performing this difficult work every day. Fortunately, there are many of them in the Vitebsk region – about 6,000 people. The scope of duties of employees of the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Population of the Regional Executive Committee and its structural divisions is extremely broad. This includes not only employment issues, payment of pensions and benefits, but also work with vulnerable categories of citizens. Striving to improve the quality of their lives, to diversify it, what forms and methods of work do professionals not apply! About 2.5 thousand volunteers have joined their ranks as voluntary assistants.
The highlight of the program was a performance on the stage of the drama theater by one of the volunteer groups, "Dobro, Serebro 60+" (Kindness, Silver 60+), working at the Territorial Center for Social Services of the Pervomaisky District of Vitebsk. Recently, this team worthily represented our region at the republican rally. The men, the oldest of whom is 83 years old, lead clubs, explain safety rules to their peers, man the "helpline," and help with words and deeds as much as they can.
The final touch to create a festive mood for the honorees was the comedy of masks "The Imaginary Invalid" based on the play by Jean-Baptiste Molière, staged by the Yanka Kupala Drama Theatre, directed by Sergey Tolkach.