Cherven Orphanage
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Cherven is only a 40 minute drive east of Minsk. It is a town of approx 10,000 people. A milk production facility and the state run collective farms are the main source of employment locally. Cherven is home to a children's orphanage of 300 children ranging in age from 4 to 25.
Since 1997 we have spent over €500,000 in Cherven.
These funds were used to;
Some of the most wonderful success stories from the Burren Chernobyl Group have come from Cherven. Vika, in 1999 was seven years of age and weighed sixteen pounds. She can now walk, she is toilet trained and has begun to speak. Now that she is mobile, her life is no longer confined to a view of the world from a bed.
Since 1997 we have spent over €500,000 in Cherven.
These funds were used to;
- Upgrade the existing buildings, which have since been replaced by a new orphanage
- All 12 units have been repaired and redecorated
- New shower, toilet and washing facilities were installed
- Food and vitamin supplements were supplied
- Clothes, shoes and bed linen were bought for the children
- Educational supplies purchased
- Playground equipment was purchased and installed
- Children brought to Ireland for medical care
- Farm equipment and livestock have been purchased
- New Laundry facility installed
Some of the most wonderful success stories from the Burren Chernobyl Group have come from Cherven. Vika, in 1999 was seven years of age and weighed sixteen pounds. She can now walk, she is toilet trained and has begun to speak. Now that she is mobile, her life is no longer confined to a view of the world from a bed.
Volunteering Programme
Our volunteers travel all year round. Many on repeat visits, and plenty of new faces each year too. The role of our volunteers is to spend quality time with the children and young adults. They are fed, washed and have a bed but one-to-one interaction is a huge part of life that they don't receive on a daily basis. Our volunteers bring fun and laughter. Every trip is different but the main activities throughout a typical trip to Cherven would include:
For more information on volunteering in Cherven please contact our office on 065-7071130.
- Hand and Foot Massages.
- Sensory play in certain groups, and trips to the mulit-sensory room where possible.
- Assistance with feeding with units 1 & 6 (bedbound/physically disabled).
- Taking children out for walks, especially those in wheelchairs. In Unit 5, taking those who can walk out of their chairs.
- Playing sports and other activities outdoors as much as possible, when the weather allows it. Chalk, frisbee, a simple game of catch.
- Spending time indoors with those that don't have access to outside. The older girls in unit 3 really love having some company, they particularly love to colour.
- Discos!!! Particularly outdoor discos, the older residents love to dance and sing.
- Hair and nails with the girls are always a winner.
- Take a walk up the town with the older more able-bodied young people and go to the disco and cinema, and maybe even ice-cream!
For more information on volunteering in Cherven please contact our office on 065-7071130.
Multi-Sensory Room
The multi-sensory room is a state of the art facility that was fundraised for by BCP volunteer Edel Smith. The room is fully padded and has many interactive stations.
Lots of our children engage really positively in the multi-sensory room. Each group of volunteers make the most of their time with this room as it has fantastic results on some of the children. Many children who are often quite hyperactive in their group totally chill out in the multi-sensory while others who can be quite introverted come out of their shelves with all of the stimulation of lights, sounds, shapes and textures.
Lots of our children engage really positively in the multi-sensory room. Each group of volunteers make the most of their time with this room as it has fantastic results on some of the children. Many children who are often quite hyperactive in their group totally chill out in the multi-sensory while others who can be quite introverted come out of their shelves with all of the stimulation of lights, sounds, shapes and textures.
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