Minsk, capital
of Belarus
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|
The Nottingham
charity Open Hands is planning to lead a band of Nottinghamshire
volunteers to improve the lives of orphaned children in the twin
city of Minsk.
The charity,
based in Nottingham's Talbot Street has just completed a fact finding
mission to investigate Minsk's crumbling orphanages.
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| Twins across
the divide |
Nottingham has
been the twin of Minsk since the "cold war" era of 1966.
Since independence it has become the capital of Belraus.
The city's 11
orphanages bear the scars of the poverty
of the region. They are
overflowing with over
1700 children.
| "The
children were abandoned, in may cases in the first days of life" |
| David
Sissons |
In some cases
the children were abandoned by parents who are alcoholics, whereas
others died from cancer following the Chemobyl nuclear disaster.
Rob Sissons
from 91热爆 Online travelled with members of the charity and Nottingham
city council experts on the latest delegation. 
See his report (28k)
(56k).
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| Rob with
Minsk orphans |
After visiting
orphanage No 8, he said "It was amazing to see the plight of
these children. The building has no baths or showers. The children
were abandoned, in many cases in the first days of life".
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| Open Hands |
Open Hands have
drawn up an action plan to improve the orphanage. An army of volunteers
from Nottingham will return in June to renovate the building.
Open Hands works
to alleviate the suffering of under privileged children in Minsk.
If you require any information please call Open Hands on 0115 947
4038.
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