The large family of Yulia Laptanovich has gone through tremendous trials – imprisonment, separation, and finally reunion in a foreign country. After three surgeries performed while she was in prison, Yulia’s health is in poor condition, and her family now needs help and support.
My name is Yulia Laptanovich. I am a mother of many children and used to live in a village near Pruzhany. I served as the head of our community and worked as a librarian. During the elections, my husband and I acted as observers. We chose the side of truth – a decision that angered some of our fellow villagers, who tried to have me removed from my position.
After the elections, we met like-minded people and became actively involved in the protest movement. We fought for truth and freedom in Belarus, but the repressive machine eventually broke us. First, my husband was imprisoned, and I was sentenced to home confinement (“domashnyaya khimiya”). Seven months later, my turn came: I was charged under seven more articles and sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. In 2024, another criminal case was opened against me, but a more serious article absorbed the others, so my sentence did not increase. I served the full term.
During my imprisonment, I underwent three surgeries, and my health seriously deteriorated. Recently I was released, but I had to flee the country to avoid a new sentence and further repression. My family – my husband and children – had already left Belarus earlier, after his release, so that we wouldn’t have to wait for each other from different colonies forever.
Now we are finally together, but my husband is still going through the integration program, and our financial situation is extremely difficult. I need to undergo medical examinations and treatment, but it’s still unclear where and how this will take place. I also need to complete the legalization process in a new country so that we can live and work safely.
The collected funds will go toward medical examinations and treatment, support for our family during adaptation, and legalization expenses to cover basic needs. Every contribution is a chance to restore my health and give our family a new start – in safety and freedom.
I’m reaching out to you for support. Your help is a chance for our family to build a peaceful future and live honestly, without fear. Any contribution, even the smallest one, means a great deal to us. Together we can overcome these difficulties and restore hope.
Fundraising goal
€5000
€2500 – medical examinations and treatment (I can’t specify exact diagnoses because in prison I was given no information, and after release I was denied medical records. I only know that one surgery was gynecological and two were intestinal, and now I have serious digestive problems)
€1000 – my primary adaptation expenses
€1000 – support for our three children
€500 – unforeseen expenses related to health and integration