‘They get attached to your family and there are tears when they go back ...’
ISTARTED hosted Chernobyl children in 2010,” the Dromore woman says. “In July of that year we hosted Michelo and Andre from Ukraine. They were both 14 years old. They were from the same school and village.
“The first experience was nerve-wracking for us. We didn’t know the language, but in the first few days the kids were there, the anxieties just disappeared and we all just settled in to it. It felt like the kids were there for a lot longer.
“There was always plenty to do for the children when they are here.
Every year the group has a three-week programme that is laid on by the community in Tyrone and Fermanagh.
“They would have provided tickets for Marble Arch Caves, and had a civil reception for them and given us tickets for the swimming pool and things.
Lusty Beg Island would have put on activities, and surfing in Bundoran.” Eveline says that the Chernobyl children are very resilient and she loves to show them that there are so many opportunities out there in the world for them.
“There have been a few children with health problems,” she says. “There is one little boy that we got back for medical reasons.
“There was a child called Nadim who had a tumour at the back of his right eye where he was losing his sight. There was very little that could be done. It wasn’t cancerous but it was causing problems with regards to the loss of his sight. We got him back again, more for health benefits than anything else.
“The kids are resilient. They are growing up with the effects of everything out in Belarus and Ukraine. They know no different until we bring them over and just let them see that there is a different side of things. If they work and strive hard and learn plenty, there are more opportunities in life to succeed. “There are so many great activities for them when they are here. “Outdoor activities and surfing, all those things have great health benefits for them when they are out in the fresh air. And then they are getting the
advantages of the fresh food, meat and fruit when they are here.”
She says hosting children can be a “very emotional experience”, but one that is very rewarding.
“It is emotional bringing the children here,” she says. “You are getting excited and worked up to get everything in place before the kids come and then it’s just a busy three weeks whenever they are here.
“And then they get attached to your family and there are tears when they are going back, on both sides. But then they have reached a time when they want to get back and see their family.
“There is a bond created with them. And they will never forget their experience here, because they all go back with a photo album full of memories, which is beautiful.
“I do find it very rewarding to host the children, because it feels like you are giving something back to society.