In 2005 we produced a book with Ticktock Media about the life of Ira Rozhkova
Ira was born with very small and non functioning arms and legs. She grew up at Zhuravichi Orphanage
It was not until she was 14 years old that we managed to persuade the orphanage that she was fit enough to go to the Holiday Camp in the summer
She had a fantastic time on holiday and made lots of new friends
In 2003, when Ira was 15, we managed to persuade Social Protection to move Ira to Rechitsa Boarding School. Several other children, including Zhenya, also moved.
Ira's best friend Vova, on the right, moved with her.
She learned to read .....
She made some very close friends, including Tanya and Luba
Instead of sharing a bedroom with many young and very disabled children, Ira shared with Tanya and Luba and they enjoyed chatting together like any teenage girls.
Liena Fedarchuk, Director of our projects in Belarus, reads a proof of the book for Ira to check.
In 2007 Pat Marsh, manager of the Woodlands Respite Care Centre at the Together Trust in Cheadle, Stockport, invited Ira for a holiday
Ira had a wonderful time, making lots of new friends
She loved being lifted in the hoist
She went to parties...
was given a wonderful new wheelchair by the Wheelchair Centre in Manchester
met the Manchester Harley Davidson Chapter who had collected aid to send to Belarus
and met Ruth Owen, of Ticktock Medai. Having produced the book about Ira, Ruth was delighted to have the chance to meet her in person
In 2008 Ira reached the ago of 20 and she had to leave Rechitsa Boarding School
She took part in the Graduation Ceremony with Vova and other friends at Rechitsa
and then she moved to live with her parents in the village of Tihinichi, near Rogachev!
Ira with her mum. They quickly developed a very close relationship
Ira with her younger sister, Liena. It was when Liena got married and moved out of the home, that space became available for Ira to stay
Ira with her older sister
She loves the puppy
And the cat spends much of her time sleeping on Ira
The family are happy to have Ira back at home
And you can see from her face that Ira has never been happier!
