Support to Social Institutions in Belarus

Belarus totals over 32 thousand children, who lost parents or parental care (1.5% of all children in Belarus). Inmates of social institutions for physically and mentally challenged children are in the gravest situation. Since 2001, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) jointly with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus have been implementing a comprehensive program aimed at improvement of the quality of life of disadvantaged and challenged children, their rehabilitation and social integration.

The program covers nine orphanages supervised by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and also the Republican Rehabilitation Center. Starting from the basic support, namely improvement of the living conditions of children by renovation of premises and creation of barrier-less environment (installment of access ramps and handrails) for wheelchair users, the SDC step by step switched to delivery of the physical rehabilitation equipment (sensor and ergo-therapy rooms, “Gross” training systems), publication of textbooks for children and materials for educational trainings for personnel of the orphanages.

In 2008-2009, special emphasis was put on promotion of rehabilitation and integration of physically and mentally challenged children by means of their involvement in sports activities, and introduction of new methodic in the educational process. Leading Belarusian experts and Swiss PLUSPORT Association for the disabled have been involved in the program. PLUSPORT has made a great contribution by introducing own pathbreaking techniques in the field of sports for challenged people in the everyday practice of boarding schools. This methodology is not limited to mere physical training, but represents an integrated approach to rehabilitation, including development of social skills and mental capacity.

Besides, the Vasilishki and Bogushevsk orphanages for children with mental disabilities received computer equipment and special software, which is a totally new opportunity offered in the country. The inmates now have access to modern technologies adapted to their individual abilities.

G.G. Pavlyukevich, headmaster of the Vasilishki boarding school, says that owing to the program “not only the visual environment, but also the working environment of the school has changed for the better.” “For instance, it is hard to imagine that only three years ago, Maxim, one of our students, was a bed ridden child, and never left his room. Presently, the boy can communicate using the hand-language, does sports exercises under the adapted program, and, moreover, uses a personal computer on his own,” Mr. Pavlyukevich says.

All ten institutions see changes. The program of the SDC has enhanced the quality of life of more than two thousand physically and mentally challenged children. Besides the improved living conditions, they received something much more valuable, an opportunity to step in the educational process regardless of congenital diseases or current state of health, an opportunity to communicate and develop, and have a chance for dignified life.

Program Officer: Tatiana Letsko

tatiana.letsko@sdc.net

Source: http://www.sdc.by/en/Home/Humanitarian_Aid_Programme/Health_and_Social_Rehabilitation/Support_to_Social_Institutions