Vitebsk region became the first region in the implementation of a charity project by one of Minsk's major companies
On the eve of the great Christian holiday of the Epiphany of the Lord, an unusual divine service took place in the Holy Assumption Cathedral of Vitebsk – a thanksgiving prayer service in honor of human virtue. Minsk patrons were honored, namely – CJSC "Belzarubezhstroy". A large capital company provided feasible assistance to four institutions of the northern capital – the Vitebsk Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, the City Center for Correctional and Developmental Education and Rehabilitation, as well as the theological seminary and one of the Sunday schools. With the collected funds, televisions, shelving units, household and office equipment, furniture, bed linen, sports equipment, educational toys, sweets, and much more were purchased.
This initiative was largely made possible thanks to the cooperation of CJSC "Belzarubezhstroy" with the Vitebsk Diocese. After the solemn ceremony of the special service, in the presence of local authorities and the public, certificates from the administrator of the Vitebsk Diocese were presented to the company's representatives. As noted by the company's representatives, the construction company had been involved in charity before, but such a large-scale event was organized for the first time.
– This year, we decided to approach the issue of sponsorship systematically, and we are starting with the northernmost region of the country – the Vitebsk land, – said Nikolai Oksyutchik, head of the legal department of CJSC "Belzarubezhstroy". – In addition, we are closely cooperating with the Belarusian Orthodox Church, in particular, with the Vitebsk Diocese, which helped us choose institutions in need of assistance, and we, in turn, tried to meet their needs as much as possible. Since the trial event was quite successful, we hope to make it an annual event, and perhaps next time the focus will be on a different region.
By the way, this company specializes in exporting construction services, with its main projects currently being implemented in Venezuela. However, recently, the company has intensified its work in Belarus, not only in the construction of housing, industrial facilities, and churches, but also in patronage, which will be continued.
The intentions for further cooperation and words of gratitude from the regional leadership were expressed by Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. He also spoke about the large-scale charity event "Our Children", which took place throughout the republic during the New Year and Christmas holidays.
– This is a wonderful initiative that has made it possible not to leave a single child without attention during the holidays, including children raised in social institutions, orphanages, and boarding schools, – noted Vladimir Vladimirovich. – About one and a half thousand matinees and holidays were held. More than 6 billion rubles were allocated for their organization, gifts from patrons, organizations, enterprises, and public associations, and sports equipment was purchased for 1.5 billion.
After a solemn ceremony and a meeting with the regional leadership, the capital's guests visited the correctional and developmental center. More than 80 children with various psycho-physical developmental disabilities undergo training and rehabilitation there. Some of them attend stationary classes, others are taught by teachers at home, and children under three years of age attend early comprehensive support group sessions with their parents. The children met the visitors with interest. And even though most of these boys and girls could not express their gratitude in words, they said "thank you" with their hearts, which is sometimes much more sincere.
As a keepsake, the pupils and teachers of the institution presented the guests with handmade angel figurines. This is quite symbolic, as people with kind hearts, capable of selfless help to their neighbors and good deeds, are a kind of guardian angels on earth.
Natalia Ryzhkova, "Vitebskiye Vesti"
Photo by Dmitry Osipov