Galina

I met Galina Bordukova in 2004 briefly. She lives close to Sergei, who I stayed with that year and she runs a charity that Lena Kartuzkov works for on a voluntary basis. I met with her in her four-roomed flat, where she lives with her children; of which she has six and one grandchild!

Galina with four of her children and her granddaughter

In 2004, I did not have much that I could offer to help her with her charity. However, my meeting with her inspired me to set up Bridges to Belarus and do something positive to help the people that she works so hard to assist. 'Sails of Childhood' helps over 250 of the poorest people in and around Rogachov. Many of the people are sick from the effects of the radiation in the area and others are desperately poor due to being farmers, but having no market for products affected by the radiation.

In 2005, I met with Galina again. I was not expecting what came next though! Within 24 hours of meeting again, she had organised for us to have a picnic in the forest with many of the families that she helps through her charity. It was a wonderful afternoon, which I will never forget. The children were full on energy and fun. They played games to win the small gifts that we had brought for them as prizes. Their eyes nearly fell out when they were told that they could have more than one! We met with some incredible people. Galina Isayenko stood out for me though. She has five children of her own and has adopted four more, two of whom are of African origin. I have never seen any other people of this origin in this region of Belarus and they had suffered a great deal before they came to live with her. Despite all of this, they are well-manner, well-behaved, wonderful children. She was a particular inspiration to me.

Some of the people at the picnic

Galina Bordukova however was not content to have only the picnic! No, she organised a concert of dance for us as well. My mother and I were expecting a few, maybe ten or so children to take part. As I am begining to learn, Galina never does anything on a small scale! So we were treated to a dance concert involving over 40 of the children supported by her charity, all in stunning constumes, most of which they had made themselves. Not only that, the children had made us beautiful gifts as well. It is not often that I am lost for words, but I certainly was on that day!

Bridges to Belarus has now sent out boxes of clothes, shoes, sanitary equipment, stationary, toiletries, toys and other aid to Galina's charity. We hope to be able to work with 'Sails of Childhood' closely in the future and I will certainly look forward to meeting with Galina again - although, as I keep telling her, I would be very happy just to chat over a cup of tea!