Friends of the Belarusian Children's Hospice

How often do we take everyday things for granted and do not give them a moment’s thought? Nearly all of us will take a breath every 5 seconds, every minute, every hour, every day. I want to tell you about children who cannot breathe naturally and how together we can help them.

The main reason why some Belarusian children with chronic conditions have to spend long periods, even years, in hospital intensive care units is because they rely on large artificial ventilators to breathe. If the Belarusian Children’s Hospice (BCH) could provide them with much smaller portable machines which they could use at home these children could enjoy living with their parents, brothers and sisters.

This is an exciting and significant time at the Belarusian Children’s Hospice (BCH).

The plans to construct a new, modern and purpose-built Hospice are not only going ahead but are demanding more and more time and effort.  A fundraising target of USD 4million is no mean goal! As they say in Russian, it doesn’t bear thinking about what you have set yourself to achieve.  BCH launched our nationwide fundraising campaign on 17th April 2012 by publishing our new website www.newHospice.by, broadcasting our specially made short TV advert and an audio version for FM radio and putting up enormous 6 x 3 metre billboards in Minsk.  We have already managed to raise USD 30,000.  The Belarusian Ministry of Health has been very helpful and has sent an appeal to other Ministries for funds to help construct and equip the new Hospice building.