Our projects
All of the money we raise goes towards helping people on the ground.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
Bridges to Belarus supports around 800 children and their families in and around the town of Rogachev in southern Belarus. The support provided is on an individual basis, dependent on a family's need, however there are a number of things that we prioritise:
Ensuring that every child has a bed to sleep in
Ensuring that every child has a pair of shoes and a winter coat
SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence and violence against children has always been an issue that Bridges to Belarus has addressed. Over the last few years, with unemployment in the region that we work rising, this has come with an increase of alcoholism and associated domestic abuse and violence against children.
In Belarus, the rates of domestic violence are high; 77% of women are estimated to be victims of domestic violence during their lifetime (data from Radislava, the only established domestic violence organisation in Belarus) with one in three women being abused by their intimate partner every year. This is compounded by domestic violence not being a criminal offence in Belarus currently.
We are fortunate to have secured a three year funding grant from the Lady Ryder Memorial Trust to support our work with victims of domestic violence and develop this area of our work further. We are very grateful to the Trustees of LRMT for their support and we are actively looking for further sources of funding so we can expand this project currently.
Whilst we will never identify specific families affected by violence (unless they request that we do) for their own safety, we collect data confidentially and can provide data without identifying markers for anyone who would like to see the numbers of children and families that we help who are affected by violence. Please be aware that there are many aspects of our work in this area that we cannot publicise.
Members of our committee are also working proactively to support local organisations and structures within Belarus to provide long-term solutions for the population moving forwards. We hope to provide education programmes for young people (all genders), support groups with psychologists for victims and vocational support training with child care for single parents in the future.
If you would like to be involved with this important area of work, please get in touch.
winter food parcels
Belarus can be hit by incredibly harsh winters and with food prices disproportionately high in comparison to the average wage, keeping a family fed and warm through the winter can be a real struggle. Every year Bridges to Belarus buys food parcels for upwards of 50 families, containing basics such as flour, sugar, cooking oil, rice and pasta. During the Summer months, when most families will have provisions from their own gardens or allotments, the charity often helps by purchasing other necessities, such as washing powder or nappies for babies.
the summer school & supporting education
A relatively new project, each year the charity enables one or two people to travel out to Rogachev to teach conversational English to children. The objective is to allow children from poorer families, who would not otherwise be able to afford private tuition, to improve their English language - a key skill to have for improving their career prospects away from the radiation zone. Over the years we have also provided regular assistance to local schools, by helping to purchase basic school supplies and stationery, as well as larger purchases such as laptops or sound systems which allow teachers to improve the quality of education for Rogachev's children.
DAY CENTRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The social care system in Belarus is not as developed as in the UK; traditionally, if people required looking after, the burden fell on the families, who were not always equipped or financially-able to give that support. In Rogachev we are pleased to help support a day centre for young adults with disabilities. They are an incredibly creative group, frequently taking part in local exhibitions, performances and competitions.
medical support
Whilst the majority of the work we do is about improving the living conditions and opportunities for our children, the medical consequences of Chernobyl are still being felt in a very real way by the people in Rogachev. As a qualified paediatric consultant, our founder Dr Rachel Furley provides advice to families with sick children; and we also help with the provision of medicines which, especially children's medicines, are very expensive in Belarus.