Posted:
26.12.2024 15:38:00
Polotsk children to Kochanova: ‘Say hi to President!’
Today, December 26th, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, Natalya Kochanova, took part in the New Year event for orphans and abandoned children at the Polotsk Cadet School
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The magical holiday mood took hold of everyone who came to the fancifully decorated main hall. An exciting party with round dances and quizzes ended with Natalya Kochanova’s words and best wishes for the kids. The Parliament Speaker told them this nice tradition started in Belarus a long time ago because President Lukashenko asked for it.
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The Speaker recalled that touching moment when talking to reporters later and said lives of the children she met at the celebration were challenging.
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She also revealed that she had spoken to the children’s parents at the party.
“They were grateful for our laws, our support for the families that care for foster children. They expressed their sincere appreciation and told me everything was superb. It’s very important for us, because feedback like that lets us understand if our regulations are working as intended,” she said.
Ms. Kochanova had words of enormous gratitude for foster families, legal guardians, adoptive parents, all those who shelter children left without parental care, “My sincere thanks to all of you for your kind hearts, for being nice to our children, for your loyalty and love for our country. It’s very important. Raising a kid requires a great effort; when that kid is adopted, your responsibility doubles.”
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The large family of Anna and Ivan Vlasov (Polotsk) was at the party. A huge New Year tree in the courtyard of their cosy home where six foster children live surrounded by love and care has already been decorated with baubles and festive lights. And now, anticipating the start of the new 2025 year, their children take part in celebrations all over the area and share their cheery mood. Their foster mom, Anna Vlasova, is also all smiles.
“I’d like to thank President Lukashenko from the bottom of my heart! Our President is a great man! Let God grant him many years of life,” she said. “I don’t know if any nation in the world cares about its children as comprehensively as Belarus. The President spearheaded the Our Children campaign, an enormous marathon of kindness. Just look how many parties, trips, events of all kinds, nice surprises, and gifts find their way to all kids. They are literally surrounded by love and goodness. That is so very important for all of us, because that’s the only way we can make them into decent people who know how important it is to share your warmth with others and keep on with this great tradition.”
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“So that everyone is merry and jolly, and all wish happy New Year to one another. So that’s why we go to meet children every year, those who are little and those who have grown up a little bit, to wish you all happy holidays and only nice things in the new year. So you grow up as true patriots of your country and love Belarus as we love you all, because you’re our future, our great young Belarusians. We are so very proud of you,” she said.
In just a couple of minutes, the warm address gave way to a lively conversation. Candid as all children are, young natives of Polotsk shared their dreams and earnestly asked if Ms. Kochanova knows the President. When she answered to the affirmative, they gave her an important mission, “Say hi to the President! Tell him he’s nice.”
“Some of them have lost their parents altogether. Some are under guardianships, or in foster homes. But how open and kind they are! They are true patriots of Belarus. You all saw how excited they were to tell me to say hi to the President, asking me if I know him and can pass their greetings and kind words to him. This warmth that is always there at parties like that tells you our children are extraordinary. As grown-ups, we should focus on them more. And they certainly won’t ever fail us, or our country,” shared her thoughts Ms. Kochanova.
“They were grateful for our laws, our support for the families that care for foster children. They expressed their sincere appreciation and told me everything was superb. It’s very important for us, because feedback like that lets us understand if our regulations are working as intended,” she said.
Ms. Kochanova had words of enormous gratitude for foster families, legal guardians, adoptive parents, all those who shelter children left without parental care, “My sincere thanks to all of you for your kind hearts, for being nice to our children, for your loyalty and love for our country. It’s very important. Raising a kid requires a great effort; when that kid is adopted, your responsibility doubles.”
“I’d like to thank President Lukashenko from the bottom of my heart! Our President is a great man! Let God grant him many years of life,” she said. “I don’t know if any nation in the world cares about its children as comprehensively as Belarus. The President spearheaded the Our Children campaign, an enormous marathon of kindness. Just look how many parties, trips, events of all kinds, nice surprises, and gifts find their way to all kids. They are literally surrounded by love and goodness. That is so very important for all of us, because that’s the only way we can make them into decent people who know how important it is to share your warmth with others and keep on with this great tradition.”
