Irina Ivanauna, Director of the children’s home, receives
Scriptures from Igor Mikhailov, Executive Director of the
Bible Society [photo: BS Rep Belarus WR414/9 BYE07DJ-3]
The garden of the Mozyr children’s home
[photo: BS Rep Belarus WR414/9 BYE07DJ-1]
BELARUS – Only 70kms separate the Belarussian town of Mozyr from the tragic city of Chernobyl in Ukraine. Set in picturesque surroundings, the children’s home in Mozyr is comfortable and well equipped, but the levels of radioactive contamination are high.
As many as 85 children aged between two and seven years live at the home, although this number varies depending on how many are in foster care at any one time, according to Irina Ivanauna, the home’s Director.
Abandoned
Children from troubled families and those abandoned by their parents are sent to a care home in another part of town, but those who have serious physical or psychological problems come to the Mozyr Children’s Home. Ms Ivanauna tells of one family with 13 children whose parents are unemployed and are chronic alcoholics. All 13 children now live in care homes and boarding schools. One three-year-old boy from this family weighed just nine kilograms when he arrived at the children’s home. He has since put on weight and is developing into a healthy child.
Afflicted
The children are afflicted with a wide variety of illnesses, from deafness and defective speech to visual impairment and cardio-vascular disease. They often undergo surgery, and this year alone, 37 operations were carried out, Ms Ivanauna told Where the need is great, the love is greater Irina Ivanauna, Director of the children’s home, receives Scriptures from Igor Mikhailov, Executive Director of the Bible Society [photo: BS Rep Belarus WR414/9 BYE07DJ-3] the Bible Society visitors. The children’s poor health is largely the result of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Children who live in institutions often suffer from ‘boarding school syndrome’, which means they grow up unable to run their own lives. At the home they have no responsibilities and no decisions to make, so they remain immature. They lack selfconfidence, are nervous and easily frightened. As well as medical, psychological and educational help, they need spiritual guidance. It is hoped that the Christian literature supplied by the Bible Society to this home will enable the teachers and nurses to convey God’s love to the young ones in their care.
This story refers to projects 73218 and 73202. (WR 414/9 - 08/09.07) [2 photos]