Orders of Motherhood and Tushnolobova-Marchenko prizes were awarded to women of the Vitebsk region
This year, the Order of Motherhood was awarded to 7 representatives of the Vitebsk region, and another 25 became laureates of the award named after Hero of the Soviet Union Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko. In total, over 700 residents of the northern region have been awarded the Order of Motherhood, and almost 500 women in the region have become recipients of the regional executive committee award.
Irina Yerkovich with twins Nadezhda and MikhailTatyana Volkova with children Nastya and Masha
Olesya Lukyanova with daughters Maria and Nadezhda
Adelya Yedikarova with sons Timur and Eldar
Being a mother is a responsibility and immense happiness, believes Svetlana Alekseeva from Braslav, a laureate of the Tusnolobova-Marchenko award. The woman works as a deputy chief physician at the Braslav Central District Hospital, and her husband works at the Braslav Lakes National Park. They have three adopted children in their family – a boy and two girls. Today, her 10-year-old son Andrey came to the ceremony with his mother.
Svetlana Alekseeva with her son Andrey
"We really wanted to have children, but there was no other option. My husband and I came to this decision with joy and consciously. First, we adopted a boy, then two girls – Victoria and Margarita. There hasn't been a single day that we regretted this decision," shared Svetlana.
All members of the Alekseev family are active participants in district competitions and various events. The mother, working as a medic, has been helping with socially vulnerable families and combating alcoholism for several years. "The work is important, but without my son and daughters, it wouldn't bring me joy. Looking at my children, I see the meaning of life in them, my future. And for me, it's a good one," the mother added.
The women gathered were congratulated on Mother's Day by the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin and the Assistant to the President - Inspector for the Vitebsk Region Anatoly Linevich. He wished the women health, good spirits, harmony in the family, and noted that the state will always support large families. "I have no doubt that you will raise a worthy generation that will continue our work," said Anatoly Linevich.
Each of the mothers present has her own idea of child-rearing and her own vision of life. But they all agree on one thing: children are the greatest happiness, which gives inspiration and strength in life. Galina Serafimova, a recipient of the Mother's Order, who is raising five children, is convinced of this. She works as an inspector for the criminal executive inspection of the public security police of the Polotsk District Department of Internal Affairs. Her husband Vasily is a colleague, working as the first deputy head of the Rossony District Department of Internal Affairs.
"The eldest, 14-year-old Igor, is professionally engaged in judo. Since this year, he has become a student of the Olympic reserve school. Two brothers, Artyom and Yegor, are also keen on sports. Five-year-old Yana is engaged in choreography and will soon start school," says Galina.
A little over a year ago, the Serafimova family welcomed Nika. "Now I'm on maternity leave, and my sons have grown up, so they help me with the youngest. They are doing well, I can already rely on them with confidence," Galina added. The children are growing up in a family of law enforcement officers, which fosters the right attitude towards discipline and order.