“This has been the greatest day of my life!” 

A comment the organisers of the ‘charity’ event ‘BŪKIME KARTU’ have heard

‘BŪKIME KARTU’ is an annual event held since 2001 under the umbrella of Vilnius Interna­tional Club (VIC).

‘BŪKIME KARTU’ means ‘let’s be together’, and this is exactly what will happen on Saturday the 15^th of May this year, when following the tradition of several previous events of same kind, around 100 children from orphanages and other institutions gather at an ecological farm 20 km north of Vilnius.

The concept of ‘BŪKIME KARTU’ is that disadvantaged children from orphanages within the Vilnius area are invited to spend a full day in the countryside, en­joying various activities sponsored by a number of international companies and institutions. The event takes place at an ecologic farm owned and run by a truly fascinating individual, Ms. Zina Gi­neistiene, a farmer and a teacher at the Vilnius University. Her farm encompasses a lot of different animals, birds, wooden farm buildings and barns, ponds, rivers and fields. All characterised by a genuine, traditional Lithuanian farm mood, and excitement, not to mention the very special smell of the living creatures and the farm itself…  

Zina’s unique farm not only provides a very differ­ent atmosphere and experience, but also plenty of fresh air for the kids and the many volunteers from Lithuania’s international community, throughout a complete spring Saturday, from 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon.  

“BŪKIME KARTU” is a fun filled day of activities – a truly different kind of ‘charity event’ - hosted by foreign em­bassies, VIC (Vilnius International Club) and a good number of kind sponsors. The event also attracts massive support from more than 100 helpers, including Lithuania’s army, po­lice, fire brigade, plus a large number of volunteers from around 20 countries as well as from many international companies and institutions.

The children together with the volunteers, staff from the children’s homes, police, soldiers, fire-fighters, scouts and many others, will number to around 250 people this year.

What first and foremost makes ‘BŪKIME KARTU’ such a very special event, is that it represents so much more than just ordinary charity. This is something much more than just giving money for a good cause; here you meet children who really need your help and support face to face. This is the event where the international community in Lithuania shows its very best and warmest efforts and attitudes to those in Lithuania who need it most.

ABOVE: The outdoor lunch is one of the many, many highlights of the day.

If YOU want to participate or sponsor this event,

please let me know as soon as possible!

Aage Myhre,

VilNews Editor