2008 visit
to Belarus.
Henry
& Robin planned to travel Bristol Riga, Riga Minsk returning Gomel
Riga, Riga Bristol. The cost was to be about £80.00 each. This was
attractive as they were paying their own cost! Disaster the flights to
& from Belarus were cancelled so a quick discussion made London Minsk
for £245.00 each was a costly compromise. Henry Told Irena of children in
Trouble several times he would see her on the 4th each time by
email or txt she replied no I get home @ midnight that night I will see you
at the party on the 5th!!
Now to the
journey. Henry drove (Thanks to NCP for complimentary parking) to Gatwick
half way there Robin realised he had left his coat at home…Oh did I lock
the door ..Its all your fault… well a new coat at Gatwick was very costly
& June found the door locked and Robin’s coat in the passageway. The
plan was to stand behind Irena and say he’s behind you in good Christmas
tradition but she saw us coming & fell into fits of laughter saying I
will see you on Saturday. A brief discussion with the new Belavia Manager
and the we wait for the 3 children a national charity had asked us over the
last 3 days to accompany us to Minsk. So we wait, wait, wait, and then when
it’s almost time for the gate to be closed we telephone the said charity to
be told we were not there! I am very large & conspicuous and our
charity badges had been worn for over 1.5 hours. Back to Belavia the
airline to be told the said charity chairman had instructed them to take
the 3 children as unaccompanied passengers. Frustration time! The flight
was uneventful. We went through customs at Minsk at the speed of light
& Natasha our well organised and reliable lady in Minsk was awaiting us
and we went to the flat that our dear friend Valentina had arranged for us.
Robins new coat repels the –15 degrees well.
OPEN DOORS
Belarusian
Association of Assistance to Children & Young People with Disabilities.
Have a pair of flats that they loaned to us. The flats are used to train
children and young people with disabilities to take care of themselves,
learning them the basics of Hygiene, personal care, cooking, cleaning and
preparing themselves to work. There is a computer room where training on
computers is done and a workshop where children & young adults are
trained to make crafts that are sold to help fund the charity. We brought many
back & have photographs of the person who made the items so if you
would like an exclusive card for Valentine’s or mothers day please let us
know we will tell you where we are next selling crafts. If you have a
crafts fair or an event when we could sell our crafts please contact us.
