Earlier this weekend members of the "Vykhod" (Exit) gay organisation of Saint-Petersburg made a dream come true for HIV infected children who live in one of the children's homes in the Northern Russian capital. Volunteers were dressed like Santa Claus and Snow Maiden and gave many gifts to the children. As "Vyhod" reports, in this New Year's miracle took part all those who followed the recent call of the organisation and sent toys, clothes and money for the children in need.

"It is hard to tell who was more impressed by this action - we or the children. The conditions for the kids are good in that children's home. Rooms are bright and warm, with many colourful and attractive toys. Children are open to communication. But there is one big minus - the children's mental development - children are not yet able to talk, although some of the kids are older than three years old", says Anne A.

"I think that everything was OK", says Nastya Kh. "Every child got a big and a small gifts and as far as I know they were satisfied... Volunteers spent several hours with the children and tried to give warmth and attention to every boy and girl. Even a small firework was done in favour of those children".

"Vyhod" organisation plans to make such visits to HIV-positive children in the Children's Home of Saint-Petersburg a good tradition. In Moscow earlier similar activities were held under the initiative of Liya Kirgetova, a writer, and "LGBT Rights" group.

Translated by Yerdna Bananes