UNICEF in Belarus and Priorbank have signed a cooperation agreement to support the implementation of the "A Family for Every Child" program in the Vitebsk region.
The program aims to minimize the number of children ending up in institutional care, enabling boys and girls to reconnect with their biological parents or find foster families.
In 2018-2021, the "A Family for Every Child" program was implemented in the Gomel region. As a result, the number of children in the Gomel Regional Children's Home decreased by 35%; the number of children admitted to this institution declined. Out of 61 orphans and children under 4 years of age left without parental care, 41 (67%) were placed in alternative care families; the effectiveness of work with biological families raising young children in difficult life situations has increased (out of 336 children under 4 years of age recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation, 31 children (9%) were removed from their biological families). Hundreds of parents raising children with disabilities received expert assistance and support. The quality of life for some children returned to their biological families improved. New specialists were trained to work with children requiring special care.
"Based on the experience of the 'A Family for Every Child' program in the Gomel region, agreements were reached with the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee in 2021 to expand the program's reach. UNICEF in Belarus, together with its partners, will work on preventing the institutionalization of children with disabilities and young children, with a special focus on strengthening the capacity of biological families, as well as facilitating the exit from institutional care of children being raised in the Vitebsk Regional Specialized Children's Home, the Bogushevsk Boarding School for Children with Disabilities with Psychophysical Development Peculiarities, the Vitebsk City Children's Home, and the Begoml Auxiliary School-Boarding School in the Dokshitsy District," – UNICEF in Belarus clarified.
The work is carried out not only with the financial support of the bank but also through donations from benefactors. The Foundation urges Belarusians to support the "A Family for Every Child" program by making a donation on the website. It is also possible to send an SMS with any text to number 2244 for MTS subscribers and to number 888 for A1 subscribers.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by