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.  | | 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 BBC Online travelled with members of the charity and Nottingham city council experts on the latest delegation.  See his report (28k) (56k).  | | 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".  | | 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. | 
