Can you host a Chernobyl child for a week’s holiday?
FAMILIES are required to host young people to take in the fresh air of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
As in previous years Chernobyl Children’s Project (Stoke and Endon Group) will be inviting children in remission of cancer for a recuperative holiday during 2019.
The group will be inviting mothers and young children (aged four to six) for three weeks in April/may. Each mum and child will stay for 10 days with a local host family and then move to another one. During the summer holidays teenagers (15-18) will be welcomed to the area.
John and Julie Gater are members of the group.
Mrs Gater said: “Local families will host two teenagers for two weeks. There is no need to speak Russian, many of the teenagers have a good level of English and it is amazing what can be achieved through mime and the translating app on a smart phone.
“Also the groups are accompanied by an interpreter and a doctor.
“Throughout their stay in the UK the groups get together often for all sorts of outings and activities and on-going support is available.
“What do you need to become a host family? We have host families of all ages and backgrounds: families with children, retired couples, who have a spare room available. The most important requirement to host is to be able to give the guests a warm welcome, to be interested in children and enthusiastic to make the holiday an unforgettable experience, for you and for the guests.”
Alena and son Kiryl were hosted in the district last year.
Alena said: “The first impressions about the country were very positive. We were impressed by the beauty of English nature. We loved the families which hosted us. We found a common language very quickly. Our hosts are kind and wonderful people!”
As a consequence of the 1986 nuclear disaster, the biggest to date, the effects of radiation are still felt, especially in Belarus. Even today more than average numbers of children are born with genetic disorders, deformities and in some cases cancer as a result of their parents’ exposure to radiation.
“A recuperative holiday not only gives a boost to damaged immune systems but is also beneficial mentally, just being in an uncontaminated environment, eating healthy food and having lots of fun does wonders.
Mrs Gater added: “Even if you cannot host but would like to be involved in giving these kids (and mums) a great time, or just to find out more about Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK), please contact us because we need people to help with fundraising or organising activities and outings. Of course, if you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass the message on and we would be happy to meet up and explain what is involved.”
For further information on becoming a host family or if you would like to be involved in some activities please contact John and Julie Gater on 01782 535000 or 07 816 842 322 or email: julie.ccp@gmail.com
The Stafford Group has now expanded to include Cheadle. For more information on this group, contact coordinator Margie Haslop on 01785 280080 or email margie. haslop@btconnect.com.