F-avto in Rudensk boarding school for children-orphans and children who left without parental guardianship

What for we do it

Thirty six thousand children-orphans in Belarus left without parental support. More than three thousand live in Minsk. Bitter experience shows that about half of these children cannot find the place in their lives when they leave the state guardianship. Neither social privileges nor the state grants don’t help the situation. Many orphans repeat destinies of their careless parents as they reach their adult life.

But recently the situation start changing as new specialized boarding-schools are created in Belarus where classes with advanced socially-vocational training are opened. There are ten such educational institutions in the country. The graduates of such schools are more adapted to the life in the social environment and work. One of these schools is Rudensk boarding school for children-orphans and children who have been left without parental guardianship. This school is different to others as here children with special mental-physical development are studying.

Employees of our company visited the Rudensk boarding school on the 23rd of May this year. This event took place with the support of Faleson LTD (F-AVTO) under the project “The Day Of Joy”. The main purpose was not only to give children gifts and sweets, but also to spend time playing and talking. Now as a company we would like to share our thoughts and pass the message of our experience.

The main message we would like to pass is that it doesn’t matter for children how many toys, gifts and other things the school will get. But it’s more important the time and a part of our soul we are prepared to spend in our free time. Let's sacrifice not only material values, but also more important things - soul, warmth and time.

The first meeting

Frankly speaking it wasn't easy decision to go. It's always hard to open your eyes on the social problems we face especially those connected with children. However Rudensk School has met us with excellent weather, huge green territory and cheerful, active pupils. Children met us with happiness as their teachers told them today they will have a holiday day, competitions and visitors. Together with volunteers we laid the table full of food and drinks.

We are together

Sweet buffet for children

Episode of the first meeting

The day in Rudensk

All the children were easy going. Surprisingly not only little pupils were eager to talk with us but vice-verse – older children 10-16 years. The part of children were playing sport games. The others asked to draw something for memory, putting their hands and faces under our brushes. And some just wanted to have a conversation, walking and talking with “F-AVTO” guys.

Entertainments for kids

Someone likes football

Walk with children

Children’s sport achievement

During sports competitions children showed the best results. They have beaten us at everything. But later we have found out that physical training is given much attention in the school. Pupils of Rudensk boarding school took part in Special Olympic Games in Shanghai in 2007.They have won gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming. Through out the year children of Rudensk school are involved in many sport competitions such as table tennis, athletics, football.

Volleyball

Here are football players

He likes singing)

Our conversations

Senior pupils were very interesting and inspiring teenagers . They told us their daily routine, interests, their plans and dreams. Children showed us school premises, greenhouses, etc. They were very emotional showing us around and always wanted to know what we feel and think about their school. We have almost forgot that those kids are different from others. They had a lot of fun, were laughing, arguing and playing, as any other children of their age.

Our little friends

"Embrace"

It's only a small part of ch

See you!

The most touching moment, of course, was time when we have to leave. By this time children has to go to their beds, but many stayed to say good-bye to us. We exchanged contacts with some children and now we keep in touch. We can truly say that was a real "Day Of Joy" – both for children and for us. As to spend a day not for yourself but for someone else is much better experience. We hope that a lot more of our F-AVTO colleagues will enjoy us next time so more kids will get our attention and help!

Children in close up