Natasha enjoying her summer days in Drogheda
NATASHA Huenchko (35) is back in her adopted home-from-home in Drogheda for a month long stay with Isobel Sanroma of the Chernobyl Children’s Charity.
Natasha travelled back to Drogheda as part of a 145 strong contingent from Belarus who are staying with families all over the country as part of a month long respite holiday.
Unfortunately Natasha’s friend and flatmate Sevtlana was unable to come this year as she has had a number of medical issues in recent months.
The pair share an apartment in a sheltered accommodation complex in the grounds of a retirement home in Belarus.
‘IT’s great to be back, I’ve been going to lots of parties and to the cinema and for plenty of walks on the beach,’ Natasha told the Drogheda Independent.
‘I love it here, I’d like to stay a bit longer but it’s great to be here for a month.’
Natasha has been coming to Drogheda for holidays for two decades and considers the town to be her second home. She was last here at Christmas 2016.
‘I love the airport and going on the plane,’ said Natasha who helps in the kitchens back at her home in Belarus.
‘It’s great to have her over, the joy tha’s in the house is amazing. It’s like having a child in the house. We say me and my shadow. She’s really enjoying her time,’ said Isobel who spent a week in Belarus with the Adi Roche charity Chernobyl Children International.
‘It really is amazing the changes that have been made with the intervention from Ireland. A medical team from Ireland travels out to the home in Vesnova.
Although she loves her visits to Ireland there is one thing Natasha says she’d like to change - the weather!
‘I’m sick of the rain, I’m always hoping to see the sundshine even though Isobel doesn’t like it,’ said Natasha.
Isobel said Natasha’s visits wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support they receive from the community in Drogheda every year and she extended a big thank you to everyone involved in organising the annual St Stephen’s Day swim every year, especially the Cloherhead Lifeboat, and all those who take part in the event.