The Our Children nationwide charity event – held under the patronage of the Head of State – continues igniting faith in a miracle and filling children’s hearts with joy across the country. Among the facilities visited these days was the Svetlogorsk Regional Centre for Correctional and Developmental Education and Rehabilitation.
President of Belarus’ National Olympic Committee Viktor Lukashenko and prominent Belarusian athletes – Aliaksandr Bahdanovich, Natallia Tsylinskaya, Alim Selimov, Iryna Kurachkina, and Vasilina Khandoshka – have visited the centre today, where about 100 children with special needs aged 8-18 study. Everyone was overwhelmed with bright feelings and emotions after watching the theatrical performance prepared by the children and their teachers.
Rower Aliaksandr Bahdanovich took part in the Our Children campaign in previous years. “Our sports community has been actively supporting the campaign for several years. After all, every child is waiting for the New Year, while we – adults – can make these expectations come true,” he said.
In turn, Vasilina Khandoshka, a bright representative of the Belarusian synchronised swimming school, is participating in the charity initiative for the first time. “It’s incredibly pleasant to see the joyful eyes of children and feel involved in a common cause that comes from the bottom of heart,” the athlete shared her emotions.
Sweet gifts and fruits were presented by the ‘Olympic’ Father the Frost to the children, and that was a magically exciting and joyful moment. In addition, the President of the National Olympic Committee had some more presents: a sensory room was prepared for the facility. Its equipment will help boys and girls rehabilitate and get better prepared for usual life, create a safe environment for classes, training and development of important skills.
Director Inna Sleptsova noted, “The Our Children campaign is being held for the 30th time in the country, and it shows that Belarusians are a kind nation able to unite around the most important values. Our centre educates the most vulnerable categories of children, and the festivity organised by the National Olympic Committee with the participation of the famous athletes is a real magic for them. We have received a truly fabulous gift: a modern sensory room, which will provide an opportunity to introduce new approaches to the adaptation, rehabilitation and socialisation of our children.”
Congratulating the children and staff of the centre on the upcoming holidays, President of the National Olympic Committee Viktor Lukashenko highlighted the main contribution of the Our Children charity campaign, “In these New Year’s Eve days, all of us – and especially these children – need warmth, care, and attention. For these boys and girls, it’s an opportunity to see new people, show their talents, feel the care of adults, and communicate with each other… The Our Children nationwide campaign still remains relevant and important for children and for all of us. Together we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a fairy tale, and we have these feelings in our hearts us through the whole year until the next action.”
On the eve of the New Year holidays, the staff of Belarus’ NOC traditionally visit social institutions and help children who need special support. Over the years, representatives of the Olympic movement have visited boarding schools in different parts of Belarus and presented many useful gifts that help children study and play sports.
