Compassion and a sincere desire to help those in need have always united students. Volunteering at higher education institutions today is not simply a tribute to social trends, but a genuine opportunity to change someone's life for the better, to offer warmth and attention. One striking example of such genuine care was the charity trip on June 10th by students from the Engineering and Pedagogical Faculty of the Belarusian National Technical University (IPF BNTU) to the state educational institution "Rudenskaya Specialized Boarding School." Volunteers from the "Open Soul" team, based at the faculty, participated in this important initiative. The trip was aimed at providing the boarding school's students with vibrant emotions, providing them with attention, and helping them develop their creative and physical abilities through play and live human interaction.
For reference: The Rudenskaya Specialized Boarding School is a unique educational and social space. Children with special needs live, study, and undergo social adaptation here. These students require special attention, increased patience, and, most importantly, a sincere emotional response from those around them. For them, every visit is a long-awaited event, opening a window onto a wider world. The organizers of the event, the Faculty of Engineering and Pedagogy and the BNTU Volunteer Center, approached the visit with the utmost responsibility. The main goal was to create an inclusive play environment where every child, regardless of their initial abilities or level of shyness, could feel like a full participant in the joyful celebration. The program of activities was carefully designed, taking into account the children's unique perceptions and physical abilities, ensuring that the games were simple, engaging, and safe.
The celebration unfolded on the boarding school grounds immediately after the volunteer team arrived. The area quickly transformed into a huge interactive playground, divided into eight themed play and creative stations. At each station, smiling volunteers awaited the children, ready to explain the rules, engage them in the gameplay, and support each participant.
The first block of stations was dedicated to classic active and educational games. Station #1 featured the familiar childhood game "The Sea Gets Worried Once," which helped the children loosen up, practice their coordination, and imaginative skills, capturing the most bizarre shapes. Station #2 hosted the dynamic game "Edible - Inedible," which elicited a storm of laughter and cheerful exclamations with every mistake and the accidental "eating" of a toy ball. A particularly exciting and competitive spirit reigned at Station #3, where "Musical Chairs" was set up. To the vibrant tunes, the children paced around the chairs with bated breath, racing to grab a vacant seat as soon as the music stopped. Station #4 handed over the reins to the game "Crocodile." Here, the children enthusiastically used all their pantomime, artistry, and logic to sign words suggested by the volunteers, which greatly brought the students and residents closer together. The second block focused on creativity, self-expression, and fine motor development. Station #5, where drawing with colored chalk on the pavement was extremely popular. In just half an hour, the gray paths of the boarding school were transformed into blooming meadows filled with images of the sun, castles, and fairytale characters. Station #6, dedicated to face painting, was also a real hit. The organizers knew in advance that there would be a huge influx of children at this point, so the volunteers chose the tactic of creating small, aesthetically pleasing, and simple drawings. This avoided tedious waiting in long lines, and as a result, absolutely every child who wanted to left the event with a beautiful design on their face or hand.
The third block included relay races testing speed and agility. Station #7, intriguingly named "Eye of the Needle," challenged the children to be flexible: two hoops were laid on the ground along the relay line, and each participant had to run to them, pick them up, deftly thread them through their bodies, and then run on, passing the baton to the next participant on the way back. The marathon concluded at Station #8 with the fun "Potato in a Spoon" challenge, where the main challenge was maintaining balance while running at a fast pace, which elicited heartfelt support from the fans.
The atmosphere throughout the event was incredibly lively, friendly, and truly playful. The children moved from one activity to the next with sparkling eyes, independently choosing what suited them best at the moment. The gentle and caring way the BNTU IAP volunteers interacted with the shy children was especially rewarding. Not a single child was left behind: even those who initially watched timidly from the sidelines were taken by the hand by the volunteers, who gently explained the rules and helped them take their first steps in the game. During this continuous interaction, all barriers were erased. Students note that the sincerity and openness of the children from the Rudenskaya boarding school are deeply moving. Their ability to find joy in simple things—a piece of crayons, a funny drawing on their cheek, or winning a relay race—forces adults to rethink many of their life's values.
Matsukevich, head of the "Open Soul" volunteer group, shared her impressions of the trip:
"Every trip is a special event for our "Open Soul" group, but the visit to the Rudenskaya Specialized Boarding School left a truly deep mark on our hearts. When we went there, our main goal was to give the children a holiday, surround them with warmth, and help them express themselves through play and creativity. But in the end, we ourselves received a huge boost of genuine joy and inspiration. From the very first minutes of meeting them, we were struck by how open these children were to communication. Live human contact is what they need most, and we tried to give them our full attention. It was incredibly rewarding to see how their creative and physical abilities blossomed during play, how their eyes lit up, and how sincerely they greeted our every suggestion with smiles.
Such a large-scale and emotionally charged event was made possible thanks to the coordinated work and support of many people. Sincere thanks go to the administration of the Rudenskaya Specialized Boarding School for the warm welcome, assistance in organizing the venues, and the noble work they do every day, raising these wonderful children. Thanks go to the BNTU Volunteer Center for coordinating and assisting in organizing the event. And, of course, our deepest gratitude goes to the students of the Faculty of Engineering and Pedagogy. And especially to the children from the "Open Soul" volunteer group. Their sensitivity, selflessness, boundless energy, and willingness to give their free time and warmth to those in need deserve the highest respect.
The "IPF, with Love" campaign once again proved that good deeds know no bounds. The BNTU students' visit to the Rudenskaya Specialized Boarding School left a deep mark on the hearts of all participants. The volunteers left with a sense of accomplishment and a wealth of warm memories, while the school's students were left with smiles on their faces, good spirits, and pleasant memories of the day they had spent. Such charitable initiatives are crucial for modern society. They teach young people compassion, develop social responsibility, and demonstrate that inclusion begins with simple human attention and a smile. The Faculty of Engineering and Education plans to continue this good tradition, as there are still many places ahead where warmth, joy, and genuine student care are eagerly awaited.
