CCI is pioneering a movement to de-institutionalise children in Belarus whenever possible. When a child is institutionalised, he or she is often deprived of the opportunity to experience family life, feel like a full member of society and develop in a normal environment. Our long-term aim is to provide the social supports and education to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live in a loving home of their own, and that every person—regardless of physical or mental ability—can reach their full potential and be an active member of the community.
As part of our commitment to de-institutionalise children, we are focusing our efforts on investing in “Homes of Hope,” hospice and community care, independent living, day-care centres and community development. Each of these initiatives helps to keep children at home with their families, even when they are sick, dying or in need of support and care for day-to-day living.
Working closely with local agencies, we deliver a wide range of services to disadvantaged families, the disabled, the terminally ill, and children at risk. We also introduce our local partners to international experts, helping them to develop world-class care programmes in their own communities.
“Homes of Hope”
The “Homes of Hope” Programme removes children from bleak, custodial state orphanages and places them in loving homes. Through this programme, we are endeavouring to break the cycle of poverty and abandonment in Belarus and give children a chance to live in loving homes with a real family.
Each “Home of Hope” shelters up to 10 previously institutionalised children, placing them with loving foster parents who have been rigorously vetted by the Ministry of Social Services in Belarus.
In partnership with the individual donors, outreach groups, and corporate sponsors, CCI has purchased 30 “Homes of Hope,” which have provided more than 300 children with a loving family of their own.
The Yamaguzhina family pictured above at the recent opening of their Home of Hope in Oktyabar Village in Gomel which was kindly sponsored by the Westport Outreach Group. Also in the photo are members of the Westport Outreach Group.
You can help us to give an abandoned or orphaned child a loving home. Please make a donation today
“Independent Living Programme”
In October 2011, Chernobyl Children International (CCI) opened a new Girls Independent Living Unit on the grounds of Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum in Belarus, thanks to the kind and generous sponsorship of Dasha Zhukova.
CCI pioneered this historic Independent Living Programme in 2009 for teenagers who had spent most of their young lives in Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum. These children, once they reach the age of 18 years, are moved onto Adult Mental Asylums, but now through the intervention of CCI, we can at last give these young girls and boys a home of their own and live independently of institutional care.
Opening Ceremony and Moving in Day
Adi Roche, CEO & Founder of CCI formally opened the new Girls’ Unit in October to great applause and fanfare. All twelve young girls whose lives will be changed forever, attended the opening ceremony, along with local dignatories, representatives of CCI and staff and carers from nearby Vesnova Orphanage. All their young friends who they left behing in Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum came to congratulate them on their new home. Everyone knew how special this day was for them – the day they got the key for their own home!
Sveta, Olga, Vika, Alesia, Nadia, Luba, Dina, Anya, Luda, Kristina, Nastia and Nina eagerly awaited the final countdown to taking their first step through the threshold. At last a place that they call call their own.
Sveta, Olga, Vika, Alesia, Nadia, Luba, Dina, Anya, Luda, Kristina, Nastia and Nina eagerly awaited the final countdown to taking their first step through the threshold. At last a place that they call call their own.
All the girls will enjoy the small luxuries of their new home – everything from learning to cook, having the privacy of their own homes to just having a bath….the many small things that others take for granted as simple pleasures in life
Here are just some of the girls enthusiastic comments on their new home!
Sveta has been institutionalized since she was 11. She tells us: “I was moved from orphanage to orphanage as a young girl. I have had a place to call home. I have suffered abuse at the hands of people who were supposed to care for me. I am only alive today because a caregiver showed me how to be tough to survive. I believe I was spared being sent to Soltanova [a dismal adult asylum] because I have worked so hard in the fields, and they need me. How with my own home, I finally feel safe.”
Olga has no memory of a time she did not live in an institution. She is going to share a room with her best friend from Vesnova, Nastia, who has cerebral palsy. “The best thing about having my own home is that I will be able to care for Nastia as a true sister! She needs help to feed and clothe herself. I will be able to push her around outside in her wheelchair, so she won’t be shut in all the time!”
Nastia had not had a home since her parents abandoned her at age 4. She was filled with joy when she found she would share a room with Olga. “She looks after me like a sister! Everyone should have their own home and family, and now I do!”
Alesia’s only memory is Vesnova Orphanage. She cannot remember a life before then. She doesn’t know where she comes from or who her family might be. Alesia works in the fields of Vesnova in Spring, Summer and Autumn. In winter, she clears snow from the grounds. “I am so looking foward to just being able to make a cup of tea when I want it!”
Luba doesn’t remember any other home other than the Vesnova Orphanage. “This is my first proper home, ever! Everything is so new and fresh -- and I have my own space. I can’t wait to have guests for tea!”
Dina: “I’ve never had a home. I had two sisters, but they stopped contacting me years ago. How I have real home -- full of sisters!”
Luda doesn’t speak but is fully aware of everything around her. She could only smile brightly when we asked her how she feels about her new home. Every day she helps with cleaning chores at Vesnova. But every night, Luda can now escape to her own new home, just across the field, close the door and make her own cup of tea in the peace and quiet.
Anya tells us, “My parents lost their rights when I was five. I haven’t had a home since. I know I have sisters, but they never contact me. Now I have a home and family! I am so glad I was picked, and I will work hard to make everyone proud of me.”
Kristina: “My mother writes to me, but she has never visited! Now, I can dream that perhaps some day she will come, and I can greet her in my wonderful new home!”
Nina: “I’ve lived in so many orphanages. Every day I dreaded that I would be moved to the adult asylum. Now I can see a happy future!”
