On the eve of Mother's Day, a ceremony was held in Vitebsk to honor women who are raising their own and adopted children with dignity.
Among those awarded the Order of Motherhood is Ekaterina Maslennikova, a transport operator at KUP "Kormchiy" from Vitebsk, who has experienced the happiness of motherhood five times.
– My mother also has the Order of Motherhood; she received it when I was born. Today, my mother also shared my joy. From the first days of my life, she instilled in me a spark of love for people and God, which I pass on to my children. She taught me to cherish every day, overcoming all difficulties with a song. She has an amazing voice. Today, my children attend music school, – said Ekaterina Maslennikova.
Her mother had six children, and her grandmother had eleven. The woman believes that children are a gift from God, which should be accepted with gratitude and cherished. She and her husband are religious people, they attend church, and one of Ekaterina's brothers is a clergyman. Therefore, the family pays great attention to spiritual and moral upbringing.
– My husband and I didn't question how many children we would have; we wanted to give life to a new person, and we awaited each child with special tenderness. The arrival of a baby in the family is a great miracle. Not only parents rejoice in it, but also children, asking: "Mommy, maybe one more," – emphasized the happy mother.
And when asked if it was difficult to cope, she replied: any labor deserves a reward. And the order she received is an unexpected but pleasant award from the state, which she and four other representatives of the Vitebsk region received from the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Boris Efremov.
Much can be said about each of the women present at the reception at the regional executive committee. Special words of gratitude are due to foster mothers who surround children in difficult life situations with care and love. The laureates of the award named after Hero of the Soviet Union Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko were Natalia Nosevich from Beshenkovichi district and Nina Kostenko from Braslav district, who, having three biological children each, took in two foster children. Olga Kuryakova from Vitebsk also became a foster mother to two children, one of whom has a disability.
– In Belarus, Mother's Day coincides with the bright Orthodox holiday of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God. For the 27th time in our country, we honor women who have become role models in raising children. Mother's love serves as a protection for the family. A woman who has given life, taught wisdom, and blessed good endeavors deserves sincere gratitude and respect, – noted Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies.
The head of the region's parliamentary corps emphasized that this year Belarus introduced Father's Day, which will be celebrated on October 21. The period between the two holidays has been named the Week of Parental Love.
– Happy children grow up in families where love and respect prevail. The personal example of a mother and father in upbringing matters greatly. Since 2003, when the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee established the award named after Hero of the Soviet Union Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko, 572 women from Vitebsk region have become laureates. And since 1991, 925 of our countrywomen have been awarded the high state award – the Order of Motherhood, including 38 this year. Home, family, children are the creative force in the life of every person, – emphasized Vladimir Terentyev.
A well-established system of family support measures has been created in Belarus. This includes various types of payments, benefits, and guarantees. This year alone, the amounts of the lump-sum benefit for the birth of a child, monthly child benefits, and benefits for caring for a disabled child have been increased three times. For families with the birth of twins or more, a lump-sum payment is made for each child to purchase essential baby items. In the Vitebsk region, family capital has been granted to almost 1100 large families in 9 months of 2022.
The happy mothers were congratulated by the President's Aide – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Anatoly Linevich:
– You have mutual understanding with the state. The state supports mothers, and you, with your parental love and worthy upbringing of children, support native Belarus. Children are the future of our country.
Inga Zenkova delivered a response speech on behalf of the awardees. The woman finds time for raising four children, as well as for pedagogical and scientific activities. She heads the Department of Economics at Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk. She successfully defended her candidate dissertation and continues her education in the doctoral program of Belarusian State University. She develops the Chinese direction at the university through the implementation of educational programs. She is the author of numerous scientific publications and monographs.
– With all my heart and soul, I vote for bringing to the world and strengthening the prestige of motherhood and the cult of family. After all, it is in the family that the highest spiritual values, civic stance, responsible parenthood, love for one's Motherland, peace, and humanity are laid. A happy family is the key to a strong and prosperous state, – noted Inga Zenkova.
