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After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the
other former Soviet republics.

As a result of the economic and political changes that the region experienced in the 90s millions of people in CIS countries are living in poverty. 16 million children survive on less than a pound a day. Struggling to cope with this change, Belarus is prioritising economic over social reform.

Deepening poverty has brought despair and terrible consequences for millions in Eastern Europe, with rising unemployment, divorce and alcoholism contributing to the disintegration of
the family and community structure.

 

 

We have been working in Belarus since 1998 establishing small family homes for children in institutional care.

The government is highly committed to reforming it's child care system and we are working together to make improvements.

Other agreements are being drafted with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Ministry of Education regarding the rights of young adults coming out of institutional care.

Small Family Homes
Through our implementing partner,
BCF (Belarussian Children's Fund) we have been able to support 31 family homes caring
for 245 children. There is great support and enthusiasm for this project from the communities, local authorities and media in
the four regions of Belarus where we operate.


De-institutionalisation
We are currently in talks with the government with a view to forming a partnership and initiating a model of de-institutionalisation in the region. Together we have already identified a number of institutions for closure. We hope the programme will be applied to other institutions in Belarus.

 

 

 

 

 

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Hope and Homes for Children is a registered charity. No 1089490