Head of the Presidential Administration Alexander Kosinets visited Orsha region as part of the

On the last day of the departing 2015, the Head of the Presidential Administration, Alexander Kosinets, congratulated the pupils and staff of the social-pedagogical center of the Orsha district on the holidays. The young residents of Orsha received a TV and sweet gifts as part of the "Our Children" charity event.

The Head of Administration familiarized himself with the educational and living conditions of the pupils – 31 children aged 3 to 15, who for various reasons were removed from their families. Alexander Nikolaevich visited the psychological support and rehabilitation room, specialists' offices, the medical unit, the preschool department, and the reception area. He then participated in the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the search for Santa Claus, and, of course, the New Year's round dance and theatrical performance prepared by the staff of the city House of Culture.

– The real happiness for children is a strong, friendly family, and the "Our Children" charity event is designed to remind everyone of this, – emphasized Alexander Kosinets. – I want to appeal to adults who, for various reasons, have left their children: Christmas and Old New Year are ahead – give up bad habits, do everything to restore your biological family. The most important thing for children is not gifts, but for mom and dad to be near, to raise them and love them.

Alexander Nikolaevich stressed that caring for children and attention to motherhood are the most important priorities of state policy. The higher the birth rate, the more mothers with strollers on the streets of cities and villages, the stronger the country will be.

The current demographic security program was launched in 2011, and the next one is planned until 2020. Its objectives are to increase the number of families raising two or more children, as well as to improve the health protection of mothers and children, and to eliminate factors leading to the emergence of orphans and children left without parental care.

Alexander Kosinets shared his fondest childhood memories with journalists. More precisely, his favorite and most desired New Year's gifts. It turns out these were apples from the school garden and books. Alexander Nikolaevich said that in his childhood he lived in the village of Rosskiy Selets, Orshansky District, and the local educational institution was located in the former manor house. He always looked forward to the New Year.

– The school organized a Christmas tree and gave gifts, – recalled the Head of the Presidential Administration warmly. – The director did everything to preserve the apples grown in the household garden in the huge cellars of the manor house until the New Year. For the holiday, each child received several beautiful, tasty apples, and we were incredibly happy about it. I also loved books very much. I studied excellently all my years, read a lot, and diverse literature at that.

Continuing the topic, Alexander Kosinets emphasized that 2016 has been declared the Year of Culture in Belarus, and shared his immediate plans and tasks for it in the context of the Vitebsk region.

Olga LEBEDEVA, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".