Picture Svetlana Kalachkina

Svetlana

Nominated By Public Council of Foster Parents Raising Disabled Children

All 2021 Children’s Peace Prize Nominees

Sveta was born with a congenital leg defect, and her mother abandoned her in the maternity hospital. Until 3.5 years old, Sveta grew up in an orphanage. Like many children with disabilities in Russia, Sveta faced rejection and bullying. Sveta loves to do sports and in 2019-2020 she became the youngest member of the Russian Paralympic team. In 2021, she participated in the Paralympics in Tokyo. On March 1, 2019, Sveta was awarded the “Ardent Heart” state award for steadfastness and courage in overcoming difficult life situations. Sveta and her adoptive mother give talks about the rights of disabled children at schools. With her success in studies and sports, Sveta shows other people that it is necessary to fight for their rights to participate in all spheres of society.