Children of Chernobyl, Jeanette, Roscommon

My family has just said goodbye today to two nine year old boys from Belarus who stayed with us for 2 weeks under the organisation of the Friends of the Children of Chernobyl. This is the first year we have done this and it has touched all our hearts deeply. Despite us not knowing any Russian (initially anyway - by now my own two boys have lots of Russian words and phrases!) and the Belarus boys not speaking any English, we became so close to them. It was heart-breaking to say goodbye, knowing that we'll probably never see them again (though we intend to keep in touch by letter and email, through an interpreter). Most people have heard about the disaster at the Chernobyl power plant in 1986, but many don't realise the long term implications of it. When these children arrive in Ireland, their immune systems are very low and some of them have no belongings apart from the clothes they are wearing. Just four weeks of good food and fresh air here can add as much as 10 years to their lives. The two boys that we looked after were such a pleasure to have to stay; they were well mannered, polite and tidy and such good eaters (particularly the fruit bowl!). I would urge anyone considering having Chernobyl children to stay next year to go ahead and do it; at the end of the holiday you will feel as if they have become part of your family, and the love and friendship between you will be there always. www.focc.org.uk www.chernobyl-international.com

 

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