Friends of the Belarusian Children's Hospice

Last autumn, we told you how a fortuitous meeting with our chairwoman resulted in the Inverness link of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline donating nearly £10k to buy two children’s ventilators for the hospice. Daryl Ann negotiated with the manufacturers, Nippy, and they agreed to supply the ventilators at a discount and to provide free training for hospice staff in how to use the equipment.  The ventilators were shipped to Belarus as part of a humanitrian aid convoy and have been in use since making a tremendous difference to children's quality of life.  Dennis Hopkins, a member of the Inverness link of Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, visited the Belarusian Children's Hospice during a recent trip to Belarus and was able to meet a child being cared for by the hospice using one of these ventilators.  Dennis wrote, 'We have many memories [of our trip to Belarus] but the one of Vlad using his ventilator at home will certainly stick with me. What a courageous child he is and his mother and gran were so dedicated. We gave Vlad a couple of toys and he indicated to his mum that he wanted to give us sweets in return. Despite being hardly able to move he insisted he should do this so mum placed the sweets in his hand and he indicated we should take them, smiling as he did so. A photo was agreed and Vlad made it clear he wanted his tube removed for this. An amazingly strong willed and good natured boy. We were very privileged to be allowed to meet him, his family and all the others.'  This is the photograph of Vlad.

For the first time in the UK and for one night only at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London, the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre, the oldest theatre in Belarus, staged the Harlequinade ‘The Abduction of Europa or Urszula Radziwell’s Theatre’.  The production was based on the authentic texts by the Princess Radziwill and performed just as it would have appeared at the Niaśviž court theatre in the 17th century.  

The evening’s entertainment marked the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between The Republic of Belarus and the UK. It was a full house and the enthusiastic audience was welcomed by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the United Kingdom and Ireland Mr Aleksandr Mikhnevich.  He spoke about the importance of peace and friendship between nations and recalled the occasion when he presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II and said that he believed that when nations understand each other culturally it leads to a better mutual understanding in other areas also.  During his time in the UK, the ambassador has actively encouraged the sharing of Belarusian and UK cultures and this evening’s performance was part of this process.  

Each of the three parts of the play is a love story united by a common thread in the character of Harlequin.  In the first part, a ballet, three beautiful sisters fall in love with three shepherds to the great disapproval and anger of their father.  After several twists and turns and an irate goddess, Harlequin ensures that love wins and the happy father regains his health and strength.  A traditional Italian commedia dell’arte follows about an impoverished merchant, his wife and her lustful suitors.  Harlequin manages to help them restore their honour and pride in the nick of time.  Finally, there was an opera based on the Greek myth of Zeus’s love for and his abduction of Europa to the island of Crete.  

There was a simultaneous interpretation from Belarusian to English available through headphones.  

HE Mr Aleksandr Mikhnevich took the opportunity to present the prestigious Order of Frantsysk Skaryna to Friends of BCH chairwoman Daryl Ann Hardman in recognition of her personal contribution to humanitarian and charitable activities in Belarus.  You can view part of the presentation here.

All the theatre tickets were complimentary and a collection at the end raised £860 for Friends of the Belarusian Children’s Hospice.

His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the United Kingdom and Ireland Mr Aleksandr Mikhnevich & Mrs Tatyana Mikhnevich hosted a musical recital and reception for Friends of the Belarusian Children’s Hospice (UK) at The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in London.  This happily coincided with a one day visit to London by hospice founder and director Anna Garchakova.  Guests arrived from London and further afield to be greeted by the ambassador and his wife and Daryl Ann Hardman, chairwoman of Friends of BCH.  

Daryl Ann had just returned from a trip to Minsk where she had attended a very successful conference organised by BCH.  She was able to tell us about how the hospice in Minsk, now the leader in children's palliative care services in the region, is advising organisations in other Eastern European and former Soviet countries about establishing children's hospices in their own countries.  The latest exciting news from BCH which we were told about is the planning and raising funds for the new purpose built hospice to replace the existing facilities which are bursting at the seams.  

The ambassador thanked Friends of BCH and their supporters for all the help they give to BCH.  

Olga Stezhko, a talented pianist, gave a short recital which was very much enjoyed by everyone.  She played pieces by Debussy and a Chopin Ballade.  

There were opportunities for the guests, who included those who raise funds for Friends of BCH, make regular donations and offer services such as translating, to meet and mingle.  

The ambassador generously donated wine and delicious canapes were provided by a trustee.  The evening was hugely enjoyable and memorable.  The trustees of Friends of BCH would like to thank HE Mr Mikhnevich and Mrs Mikhnevich for their hospitality and the embassy staff who helped to organise the event.