In the Vitebsk region, the number of children's boarding institutions has decreased threefold over 15 years
In the Vitebsk region, over the past 15 years, the number of children's residential institutions has decreased threefold. This was announced today to journalists by Ivan Shchurok, head of the education department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, after the opening of the first family-type orphanage in the Polotsk district in the agro-town of Zhernoseki.
Ivan Shchurok noted that during the period of Decree No. 18, the number of children losing their families in the region has significantly decreased. "In the 8 months of the current year, 192 children found themselves in such a situation (their parents were deprived of parental rights). 77% of these children were placed in family-based care. In total, out of our 3,565 orphans and children left without parental care, 72% are in family-based care," said the head of the department. He provided a few more figures: 15 years ago, there were 23 residential institutions in the region, now there are 7 left. "We will continue to work towards the maximum placement of children in families and the reduction of residential institutions," emphasized Ivan Shchurok. The construction of new homes for foster families has become not only a state matter but a nationwide endeavor, involving ever more new structures.
"People respond to the pain of others not only by taking children into their care, but also by providing sponsorship. Over the last 3 years, 4 such children's homes have been built with funds from banks, and the one opened in Polotsk district is the fifth," the head of the education department clarified. The children who celebrated their housewarming in these homes have gained the most important thing – a family. "Parents will monitor their studies, pass on their knowledge and skills. I am in favour of consistently and progressively resolving issues related to raising this category of children in families. The best boarding school or children's home will never replace a family," the interlocutor said. There are 27 family-type children's homes opened in the region, and 3 more are expected to appear by the end of this year (in Vitebsk district, Postavy, and Gorodok). "In the future, it is planned to build at least two family-type children's homes annually. We hope that homes built with sponsorship will also appear," the head of the department summarized.
Nine children left without parental care will be raised in the home opened today in Polotsk district. Foster parents Anna and Alexander Goloborodov have extensive experience working with children – they have two biological children, one of whom already lives separately, and since 2007, foster children have also been raised in the family. Anna Goloborodova is also a teacher with 26 years of experience. Both parents have undergone special training at the Vitebsk Regional Institute for the Development of Education. Until today, the foster family lived in a private house in Polotsk, where five foster and one biological child were raised.
The housewarming was celebrated with a larger company - the family was replenished with four more foster children, who had previously been raised at the Vetrino boarding school, disbanded on September 1. The family-type orphanage was built in the agro-town of Zhernoseki by specialists of the enterprise "Polotsk Construction Mobile Mechanized Column - 36" at the expense of the investor - CJSC "Bank VTB". More than Br2.4 billion was invested in the construction. The cottage is equipped with household appliances and furniture, and the adjacent territory has been landscaped. The solemn opening ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee Nikolai Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of CJSC "Bank VTB" (Belarus) Vladimir Ivanov.
Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.