Co-participation in destiny

The Lepel primary organization of the Belarusian Association of the Visually Impaired celebrated its anniversary. It turned 65 years old. Even more time has passed since the establishment of the public association "BelTIZ" – 90 years.

The celebration began in the foyer with a tasting of products from the "Lepel Bakery" branch of RUPP "Vitebskhlebprom". Afterwards, a concert prepared by the activists of the primary organization awaited everyone. Of course, the guests did not come empty-handed to the anniversary. The Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Nikolai Nikitin, presented Certificates of Honour to Valentina Kisel, Gennady Matyrko, Denis Oblaushko, and Sergey Martynovich. From the Peace Fund, the Head of the Department of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the District Executive Committee, Igor Urban, presented magnifying glasses. The Director of the Physical Culture and Health Center, Rimantas Stripeikis, awarded seven active participants of sports events with certificates. The central district library, long-time friends, presented the primary organization with a telephone and beads as gifts. Together with the library, the primary organization of the "BelTIZ" public association has already held more than one event, and there are many more to come.

Among the "anniversary surprises" was household equipment. Now, visually impaired individuals can not only heat food brought from home in a microwave oven, presented by OJSC "Lepel MCC", but also cook lunch in an electric stove – a gift from KUP DROTS "Zhemchuzhina". The "anniversary celebrant" was also pleased with these useful items: two new microphones and an electronic clock with a radio receiver. And 15 activists of the primary organization received personal gifts – mobile phones. Together with letters of gratitude, they were presented by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the "BelTIZ" public association, Konstantin Lamchanovsky. He also recognized the volunteers of the primary organization with letters of gratitude and monetary rewards.

The Public Association "BelTIZ" comprises six regional organizations, which include 142 primary branches and over 19,000 visually impaired individuals. The Public Association "BelTIZ" owns 14 unitary enterprises, employing over seven thousand people, of whom more than three thousand are visually impaired. The industry of the Public Association "BelTIZ" specialises in the production of electrical engineering products, filter elements for the automotive and tractor industry, woodworking products, and offers a wide range of consumer goods.

The district organisation also has its own vibrant life. Established in the difficult post-war years, the association of visually impaired individuals initially included 27 people. Currently, this number has reached 86. Throughout its existence, the Lepel primary branch has been recognised as the best on multiple occasions. Time moves on, new forms of work are being introduced, but their main goal – creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities – remains unchanged. For example, several projects are currently running simultaneously. The "Kind Friends" project unites initiative groups of different generations. Within the framework of the "Participation in Fate" project, people with disabilities can "travel" around the Lepel region without leaving the reading room of the central district library. Skype conferences with Russian friends – the youth information centre of the city of Balakhna, Nizhny Novgorod region – have become traditional. In one of the recent meetings, the Russians boasted that, following the example of the Lepel residents, they had already established their own mini-theatre. Volunteers are united by another project – "From Heart to Heart". Helping to tidy up for Easter is one of the nearest planned events within its framework.

M. ORLOVA