How was the fate of the orphan from Belarus, who fought for the right to stay in the USA

In the summer of 2008, there was an unprecedented commotion in Belarus. 16-year-old Tatiana Kozyro, who went to California with a group of children, refused to return home. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry demanded that the US authorities immediately return the girl to their homeland. But the new family began to fight for the right of their ward to stay in the States, for which she spent all her savings. After almost 10 years, Tanya told Onliner.by about how everything was.

Photo: Alexander Ruzhechka, people.onliner.by

“Mother brought me to my grandmother with the words:“ If you want, throw it away, if you want, give it to the orphanage ”

- Mom left me since birth. First, she threw off her mom, and then the second grandmother, - Says the fragile thin Tanya. We sit in the Borisov pizzeria and drink tea. The girl pulls out of the wallet a single photo of his mother.

- I have a brother Denis, he is three years older than me. It is consolidated, we have different fathers. So mom's mother actually raised him, and when my mother threw me off to her, she didn't pull. Pull here when one three-year-old runs, and the second - baby. Then my mother brought me a two-month-old second grandmother, father's mother. I gave it with the words: “If you want, throw it away, if you want, give it to an orphanage, if you want to grow.” And left.

Tanya's dad did not particularly complain about her either. At that moment, when my daughter was born, he had already met with another woman and occasionally drank heavily. He dismissed the baby, saying that it was not enough from whom his ex-girlfriend could have flown. His name in the column "Father" does not appear until now.

Photo: Alexander Ruzhechka, people.onliner.by

The grandmother of the girl on my father's line Nadezhda Petrovna decided that she would raise her granddaughter herself. Widow, she worked in three shifts at the crystal factory, received a good salary. Tanya began to call her grandmother "mother", and that her - "daughter."

- Mom (that is, grandmother) in me does not mind, always regrets and loves very much. I do not know what would have happened without her, - Tanya smiles, showing pictures of a pretty woman. Periodically, Nadezhda Petrovna tried to persuade Svetlana (the girl’s mother) to return to her daughter, offering to live with her.

- Yes, she did not give a damn about me and my brother, - the girl considers. - She lived through the house from us and drank constantly. How many times have we tried to help her ... Once I went home from school, I see: lies. Frost was terrible. My grandmother and I dragged her home, I personally washed her feet, smeared it with a special cream. She was treated for several days, fed, warmed. And then she took and left the house - no thanks, nothing. A week later, again drunk lying under the fence.

Could lie on the street, and little Deniska sat beside her, crying. But he didn’t come to us, he said: "I'm not going anywhere, I will be with my mother."

Photo: personal archive of the heroine

In the end, Svetlana was deprived of parental rights. Nadezhda Petrovna took custody of Tanya, her brother didn’t want to go to them - he was sent to an orphanage. Tanya still has no relationship with her brother.

“We love you like our own, let us stay with us”

In 2000, an American charity Chernobyl Children's Project organized for Borisov orphans a trip to the United States for recovery. I got there and eight-year Tanya.

- I was in a queue for rehabilitation and first had to go to Italy, and a completely different girl was sent to the USA, but she got sick with chicken pox, - says the girl. - Then for the first time in my life I flew by plane. She only knew that in San Francisco. And what will be the family, what kind of people - no information. We could not choose.

Manuel and Debra Zapata with their children were waiting at the Tanya airport with a sign. They brought the girl to Petalumu, a small town, about the size of our Kobryn, 40 kilometers from San Francisco. Debra at that time worked as a pediatrician, and Manuel was a civil servant.

- These are very kind and lovely people, they never shouted. Could only chide, in a kind way to say: "Well, how are you so bad behaving." And that's all, nothing more. Of course, at first I didn’t know them, I was afraid of them and missed the house very much. But they tried to do everything to make me comfortable, - Tanya is flipping through an American album. - I learned the language quickly, my language is excellent. I began to call them "mom" and "dad", "brother" and "sister". Until now, so called. With sister Ashley, we have a couple years difference. We became friends from the first day. Brother Liro is three years older than us. He is also very cool. Then Mom and Dad also got Nicholas. We all loved him very much, nursed him ...

The married couple Zapata didn’t like a shower in Tanya. The girl traveled to them for nine years. And they became more and more attached to each other. Between the trips, Manuel and Debra called Borisov, sent gifts for birthdays, and periodically sent $ 100 — 200.

Photo: personal archive of the heroine

- We were everywhere, went to Disneyland, swimming pools, parks, zoos, never sat at home. Everything was somehow different there, unlike our country, much brighter and more beautiful, - remembers the girl. - Usually we were in the US for two months. And after them I never wanted to leave. I was already on the bus, and I was crying.

In 2008, Tanya came to Petalum for the last time: the girl turned 16 years old - this program was not designed for older children.

“We were driving from the cinema, and suddenly, Debi's mom said:“ We will not see you again, we love you as our own, let us stay with us. ”

I called my grandmother: "They propose to stay, what should I do?" She says: "Do not stay, but it will be a scandal."

I conveyed the words of the grandmother to my family and heard in response: “Calm down, there will be no scandal, it’s 100%”. I remember, I also told my grandmother: “They know better, they are Americans”, - the girl grins.

“I looked out the window - and there journalists, diplomats, and our entire Belarusian group”

5 August 2008, Tanya, together with a group of Belarusian children from 24, was to fly out of San Francisco to their homeland. But the girl was not brought to the flight. The whole group remained in the United States, and representatives of a charitable organization went to the police, thinking that the girl was gone. The next day, from the very morning, the police came to the house to Debre and Manuel.

- I, the sleepy one, was raised at five in the morning and everyone asked: “Have you agreed or are you being held?”. I answered that nobody was holding me back, I myself, - remembers Tanya. - And then the turmoil began. From the morning we had all the windows curtained. Nothing is clear, the parents asked: they say, just do not look out. I look through the crack - and there are a lot of people there, a huge number of journalists, cameras, diplomats, children from my group ...

Tanya then did not know what passions were boiling around her. As soon as it became known that the girl was not flying back, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry immediately demanded that the US authorities "take all the necessary measures to ensure the unconditional return of the Belarusian citizen to her homeland." On August 6, the charge d'affaires ad interim of Belarus handed a note to the State Department representative and demanded that a group of Belarusian children flew back to their homeland in full. But the guys are back without Kozyro.

The scandal was growing. The Minister of Education of Belarus (then this position was occupied by Alexander Radkov) said that in fact the girl wants to return home, where her grandmother is waiting for her. Meanwhile, it became known that Debra and Manuel had filed Tatiana's documents for the extension of the guest visa. Therefore, Tanya could be in the United States before the immigration services would solve her question. It was not possible to deport the Belarusian either because the girl’s grandmother agreed to stay in America.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry began to assess the situation with the non-return of Tanya Kozyro as "an unacceptable violation of contractual obligations" under the program of the American organization Chernobyl Children's Project. A couple of days later, the Belarusian side stopped the programs for the health of children in the United States. Thousands of American families who had previously taken orphans and children from radioactive zones began to worry about whether they would be able to meet at all. Irishmen who have been involved in the project for more than 15 years are also worried.

To persuade Kozyro flew employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He met a girl several times. According to representatives of the ministry, the girl was offered to return to Belarus and then try to get a student visa in the United States and come to study, but she refused. 16-year-old Borisovka told the American media that she was very hard in Belarus, her father drank, his friend used drugs, and her mother refused it. "Here is my family," - said then 16-year-old Tanya.

- They put pressure on me and my grandmother, - explains the girl now. - My grandmother was persuaded to cry into my phone, to say how much she missed that she was without me.

I was threatened that if I did not return, it would be bad, then they began to promise that they would help in everything, that they would repair the house, run water, sewage and gas ... I did not agree.

Police officers assigned Tanya: after the incident with the Belarusian orphan Vika Moroz, which the Italian family hid in the monastery, there were fears that the girl might be taken out of the country.

- The police escorted me everywhere: in the park, cinema, shopping centers, - remembers Tanya. - Even near the toilet were on duty. When I gave interviews to local newspaper reporters, I was escorted to the police station through the back door. In addition, some other people followed me: everywhere I saw strange people who were watching what I was doing. I realized that both my grandmother and my phones were tapped.

Although, frankly, I still do not understand what would have happened so catastrophically if I had stayed, and why such a scandal had turned out in general. Not only the city or state was buzzing, the whole country knew the name of Zapata. A lot of dirt has spilled on my family: American newspapers wrote that they held me by force, that I didn’t want to leave for Belarus because I fell in love with their son - in general, all sorts of nonsense.

“I thought that my grandmother should be watched. She saved my life, but what can I do in my old age I can not give her a glass of water? ”

The situation was not solved until November 2008. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry continued to demand the return of the girl. Because of the situation with Tanya Kozyro, the country has tightened legislation. The Belarusian President signed a decree according to which it is only possible to export children for recovery abroad to those countries with which there are international treaties and which guarantee the return of children to their homeland.

Photo: personal archive of the heroine

The Zapat family continued to fight for Tanya. The Americans hired one of the country's top-notch lawyers, Christopher Keroseki, an immigration dock.

- This is a very expensive lawyer, he has worked with many American celebrities, - explains Tanya. - At that time, his work hour was worth $ 50, and he worked on my business for days. My American parents spent all his savings on his help. We won two cases in court to extend my visa. It remained to win the third case, and I could get a residence permit or even citizenship.

Suddenly, 10 days before the decisive meeting, Tanya told the American family that she wanted to go home to her native Borisov.

- I was seized with longing. I missed my grandmother so much - explains the girl. - I realized that I need to watch it. She saved my life, but what can I do in my old age I can not give her a glass of water? I was convinced that if I received American citizenship, I could transport my grandmother to the USA, I only had to wait a year. But I could not wait. One day, I told my mom and dad: that's it, I can't stay anymore.

They tried to persuade the girl, even the grandmother called and said: "Tanya, be patient, 10 days left until the last trial, suddenly you will receive citizenship." But she stood her ground: I want to go home - and that's it. The American family did not interfere.

- Of course, they did not understand, they were very offended. Sister even drove me out of the room. Said, "Pack your things and go." And I understand them. They spent so much energy, so much money, they laid out their whole soul, and here I am, saying that I will not go.

Tanya recalls that the atmosphere was very tense. As a result, she was stamped on deportation and banned from entering the United States for five years. November 23 Borisov was already in Belarus. She was met by journalists, questioned, filmed scenes (not always positive). And Tanya was just glad that she finally saw her grandmother.

- There were people who were angry with me. When I came from America, a woman called me at home, screaming into the phone: "Damn you!". I sent it and hung up. What else did I have to say? - she sighs. - Such people can be understood, because for some time I blocked the way for children who went abroad for recuperation. Because of me, many did not make it to the USA. Although then the program seemed to be coordinated and everything was fine. But you know, I do not think that my fault is here. At that time I was 16 years old - how could I have imagined that there would be such a reaction?

When the turmoil passed, Tanya called her American family and apologized. What was her surprise when they said that they still love her and respect her choice, no matter what.

“When I cannot find a job in Borisov now, I remember that there is always work in the USA, there would be a desire”

After arriving from the USA, Tanya returned to her studies. The girl graduated from 11 classes, then went to college, received a specialty "Seller-cashier." She worked in Borisov in her specialty, she lived all these years in her grandmother’s house on the outskirts of the city.

- Now I had to quit. The schedule was heavy - five through two, and we also unloaded the goods, so I also pulled my back. I realized that I could not work that way, - says Tanya.

During this time, she managed to get married, give birth to her daughter Nastya, who is already five years old, send her grandmother to retire, get a divorce, and improve relations with her father.

Photo: Alexander Ruzhechka, people.onliner.by

- Dad now began to drink less, he began to help his granddaughter. Yes, as a child he scored on me, but I see how now he is trying to improve, how he takes care of his granddaughter, and I was able to forgive him. My dad is better than my mom. She is not interested in her granddaughter or me, - Tanya believes. - She never does either about her granddaughter or about me. Drinks still lives in the village, where she is forced to work. Now she is a little more 40 years old, and she looks at all 80.

Grandmother teaches me: "Forgive her." I can not. In my heart this wound will never heal, how long I will live, it probably will not heal.

She never received the promised benefits with which the Belarusian was lured back to Borisov. The house of the grandmother as he was without amenities, and remained. Now Tanya is trying to repair it on her own. There is still no shelter for an orphan.

- Now it’s even funny to remember how confidently they talked about it. And in fact they did nothing- sighs a girl.

Tanya was no longer seen with the American family, but they call up on Skype, so the girl is in the know of all the news: for example, that brother became a photographer and a photo model, and Ashley has health problems.

- They help me financially. When I was sick, they transferred money for medicines, when I passed on the right and I did not have my car, they sent me $ 1000 - I was able to buy myself Ford Mondeo. Just enough for him, - laughs Tanya. - Before the birth of Nastya, they also helped me and did a lot for me. What is interesting, still, my daughter and I are invited to visit, ready to issue invitations and help with a visa. Yes, I really want to go, but, perhaps, just to stay for a while, it makes no sense to go there forever. Now I will not get accustomed there, all my friends and relatives are here.

Unwind time ago Tanya does not like. But he says that if there was such an opportunity, then she most likely would have remained in the United States.

Photo: Alexander Ruzhechka, people.onliner.by

- I already regret that I returned. Maybe she grew up, got smarter, compared life here and there. We have a lot harder. A commonplace example is work. I remember that in the United States, as teenagers, we could easily earn money by sitting as an assistant at a store or looking after children or old people. And it was good money, if you count on a full-time, - adds a girlfriend. - And here ... I've been looking for a job in Borisov for several months now, so that there is a more or less normal salary, there is nothing. Perhaps the decision to leave was very emotional. At that moment I missed my grandmother more than the country itself. If she was immediately taken there, then I would have got used to it. Perhaps it would have been completely different. I even thought about it quite recently ...

Read also on ForumDaily:

Beloruska told about life in the USA after winning a green card

How Belarusian got into the Hall of Fame of George Washington University: the story of Yegor Mishcheryakov

How Belarusian passed in the USA from scavenger in strip-bar to trucker

Opinion: 5 reasons why I no longer want to live in Brighton

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.