Miory Regional Executive Committee
On the eve of the New Year holidays, the large Kotov family from the agrotown of Klyastitsy in the Rassony district hosted guests. First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Nikolai Snopkov and Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin visited to meet the residents of the family-type children's home and present them with gifts. They were immediately transported into a fairy tale. The entire family wrote and staged a performance about magic clocks. The older children dressed as Ded Moroz, Snegurochka, and Baba Yaga, while the younger ones dressed as Snowflakes and Snowmen.
Anna and Alexey Kotov have become parents to 25 children, two of whom are their biological children, one girl was legally adopted, and the remainder are foster children. However, this distinction exists only in documentation; in reality, all the boys and girls currently residing in the home, as well as those who have since grown up and moved out, are considered their own by the couple. Furthermore, the Kotovs already have four grandchildren.
Relations within this close-knit family are founded on trust, mutual understanding, and love. This is evident at first glance. Together, they maintain cleanliness and order in the home, landscape the adjacent territory, and willingly work in their household garden. Three years ago, the regional leadership presented this close-knit and hardworking family with a tractor, which serves as valuable assistance in cultivating vegetables for their table. They also decorated the Christmas tree together using ornaments that have been carefully preserved in the home for many years.
The parents support their children in all endeavors and nurture their talents. Residents of the family-type children's home have repeatedly won creative competitions. Their accomplishments are recorded in the "Book of Life". The family chronicle has been maintained for over ten years now.
Anna Kotova is a laureate of the regional award named after the Hero of the Soviet Union, Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko, and a winner of the republican contest "Woman of the Year". Her accolades also include a diploma from the regional amateur film competition "Happy Moments of Families". The head of the household keeps pace with his wife, actively participating in cultural and civic events.
The family places great emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. Adults and children alike engage in physical exercise together and enjoy recreational time outdoors.
– New Year holidays are a time of magic, gifts, and making wishes. The “Our Children” campaign, which has been held in Belarus for many years, is a kind and uplifting initiative that helps bring dreams to life. It is especially important during these days to visit those places where people need warmth and care the most, noted Alexander Subbotin, who presented the family with a large television set, and the children with sweets and footballs. As it turned out, even girls play football.
Nikolai Snopkov, in addition to a set of household appliances, also brought, as he explained, items he personally enjoys – educational books, a board game for a large group, and Belarusian confectionery.
“We create miracles ourselves. Is such a large, close-knit family not a miracle? And not just a New Year’s one, but a lasting, genuine one,” said Nikolai Snopkov.