We have a chance to tell children about "World without Borders" not only in a closed type institution, but also in a reception center. What is a reception center for minors of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee? This is a temporary place of stay for adolescents, who have violated the law and, by a court decision, are sent to one of 4 closed type educational institution. For the most part, these children have committed several administrative offenses, such as drinking alcohol in public places, hooliganism, theft, robbery, and other. Every month volunteers, contact persons and a WWB employee visit the reception center for minors to tell children about the activities of "World without Borders". Our organization closely cooperates with all 4 educational institutions of closed type (3 for boys and 1 for girls). The reception center for minors is located in Minsk and, therefore, we do not want to lose the opportunity to meet children while they are still around, and have not yet left for closed type institutions. Besides, this is a great opportunity to make friends faster. When we and the volunteers come to the closed type institutions, for the most part the children have already met us at the reception center, which by no means helps us establish closer contact with them.
At such meetings, we talk about the activities of the organization, the kind of help we provide, who children can safely turn to for assistance, talk about the "Contact Person" work model and its functionality. In order to keep in touch with the children, we make sure that they have a chance to communicate with us: we leave our addresses for correspondence, phone numbers for communication, or closed instituions employees’ contact info.
Communication at the reception center is usually quite engaging and productive, because children not only listen, but also ask questions regarding their concerns. We show the children a film about closed type institutions and encourage them to think positively, although sometimes it is rather difficult. There is no doubt that it is extremely stressful for teenagers, when they are taken from the family and sent to closed type institutions. Thanks to such meetings, boys and girls are already waiting for new meetings with us, but within the walls of closed type institutions.