Eight
year-old Borik’s parents divorced soon after he was born.
He lived with his mother, Elena, and his aunt, Valentina, often
referring to both as ‘mama’.
So it was not unusual that, on the morning of 1 September 2004,
his favourite aunt joined his parents to take him to his first
day at school. As for so many others, that day changed their
lives. Borik’s parents were killed in the siege. Both
Borik and his aunt were left traumatized and Valentina’s
hearing has been damaged.
Just days after 338 people, including 172 children, were taken
hostage, Valentina took Borik to a psychologist for help. Both
the young boy and his aunt were sent to a sanatorium (health
spa) in Sochi for treatment.
Three weeks later, Valentina and Borik returned home to a nightmare.
Relatives of Borik’s father were claiming their rights
to Borik. Valentina had to begin a fight to keep the boy she
loved like a son.
“When I have time to address my health problems, I’ll
do so,” she says. “But not now. My ears are getting
worse, I have terrible headaches and insomnia, but I don’t
have time for treatment. Not before I get Borik.” She
is currently arranging the papers for Borik’s adoption.
The fight for Borik has attracted media attention and some journalists
describe it as a fight for the money rather than the boy. “All
the money is with his father’s family already,”
explains Valentina. “It is sad that so much money was
thrown here in such a short time, before people could pull themselves
together. There could have been much less suffering.”
According to a study carried out by the Russian Red Cross, a
third of the 578 affected families still need on-going home
care and psychological support to overcome the mental and physical
scars of the tragedy.
As well as psychological support from visiting nurses, the Russian
Red Cross and the Federation have provided funds to improve
facilities at the central Beslan hospital. The Red Cross has
also opened a community centre where some 400 people can attend
classes, do sport and other social activities, and receive psychological
support.
A year on from the tragedy, the Russian Red Cross has a list
of individuals and families who continue to need help. Staff
will work with them to meet their mental and physical needs.
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| Eight-year-old
Borik and his aunt both survived the siege in Beslan.
Borik's mother and father were both killed. (p13216)
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