A celebration of mothers with many children was held at the regional executive committee on the eve of Mother's Day. 13 of them were awarded the Order of Motherhood, 25 – the regional prize named after the Hero of the Soviet Union Z. Tusnolobova-Marchenko.
The women awarded are united by responsible and happy motherhood. Their profiles feature exclusively positive feedback from their workplaces, and a common theme is that the mothers pay great attention to the upbringing and development of their children, have an active life stance, and serve as an example to others.
– Mothers who have given birth to and raised children are honored in all corners of the country on the eve of the national holiday – Mother's Day, – Igor Brylo, Aide to the President – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, addressed the heroines of the occasion. – May your children grow up healthy, delight you with their successes, become true citizens of their country, people you will not be ashamed of! You are performing a great feat of motherhood – and the country is grateful to you for it.
Igor Brylo presented the Order of Motherhood to residents of the region who gave birth to and raised five children.
The festive hall was bright with the smiles of wonderful women. They were particularly elegantly dressed for the solemn occasion. Each was accompanied by a child, and when asked if they liked the celebration and were happy for their mother, all the children replied:
– We are very happy! My mother is the best.
– To receive such a high state award is very exciting and honourable. I believe all women whose maternal labour is recognised today share these feelings, – shared her emotions Yulia Khodos, a nurse at Orsha City Polyclinic No. 5. – My eldest son, Ivan, out of our five sons, was delegated to this celebration with me. The others and my husband are eagerly waiting at home. Of course, today is a joyous occasion for us!
– We are sincerely proud of you, – admitted Vyacheslav Durnov, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, to the distinguished large families. – You are raising wonderful children who demonstrate success in their studies, creativity, and sports. This is your great achievement. The state consistently supports the institutions of family, motherhood, and childhood. The system of support measures includes 11 different types of family benefits, payments, privileges, and guarantees.
As of early October 2023, the family capital has been granted to over 900 large families. Nearly 950 decisions have been made on the early disposal of capital funds, with 70% of these allocated for the construction and purchase of housing.
In 2023, material assistance for preparing children for the academic year was provided to 23,000 families with almost 44,000 children, amounting to 4.6 million rubles.
To enhance the prestige of motherhood and strengthen the institution of the family, 20 years ago the regional executive committee established an award named after Hero of the Soviet Union Z. Tusnolobova-Marchenko. During this time, it has been awarded to 572 large families – residents of the Vitebsk region.
This year, the award ceremony was conducted by Vyacheslav Durnov.
– I professionally work as a mother, – smiles Tatyana Pasechnik, a laureate of the award, a foster parent from a family-type children's home in Postavy. – My husband Yuri and I have given love and care to 19 children who needed it. We are currently raising 11 children. We became foster parents in 2011. A year earlier, for giving birth to five sons (we adopted the sixth), I became a recipient of the Motherhood Order. Being a mother is difficult, but joyful, and I feel I am in my rightful place, I wish for no other destiny.
Speaking about the awarding of large families with the regional prize, one cannot fail to recall the heroic woman whose name the award bears. The tragic story of the 23-year-old nurse who lost her arms and legs at the front is known to every Belarusian. As is the love story of Zina Tusnolobova and Iosif Marchenko: the handsome officer married his disfigured fiancée and was her support until the end of his life. They had four children together. However, only two were destined to reach adulthood. Zinaida was not only dedicated to her home but was also a public activist.
In our family, the story of our maternal grandmother, Zinaida Valyuk, a recipient of the "Maternal Glory" Order, 3rd degree, about her personal meeting with the legendary woman is passed down from generation to generation. Back in the 1960s, large families were honored on the eve of International Women's Day. A large gathering was held in Polotsk. When it was announced that the guest of honor at the event was Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko, and her husband Iosif carried her to the presidium in his arms, the hall rose. Many were in tears. The applause did not cease – this is how people expressed their admiration for the feat of the female soldier, the female mother.
It is an honour to become a laureate of her award: it is as if the heroine herself expresses her approval and thanks women for the noble mission of motherhood, the continuation of life, and ensuring the future of their native land.
vitebsk-region.gov.by
