Month stay ‘does wonders’ for Chernobyl’s teenagers
FOR the past 23 years, the Endon branch of Chernobyl Children’s Project UK (CCP) has been inviting teenagers from Belarus for a month’s recuperative summer holiday in the area.
A key element of the holiday for these young people – all in remission from cancer – is being temporary residents of Cicely Haughton School in Wetley Rocks where they can regain their health and self-confidence.
John and Julie Gater of the Endon and Stoke group of CCP UK said: “People might ask why are these recuperative holidays still relevant?
“You may have watched the recent HBO/SKY Chernobyl series and seen that the nuclear disaster there was so devastating, and so badly managed, that the consequences of that 1986 catastrophe (the biggest to date) are still being felt, especially in Belarus.
“Even today, above average numbers of local 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 also to their mental health – just being in our uncontaminated environment, eating healthy food and having lots of fun can do wonders.”
Although the Endon CCP group also hosts very young children, who come with their mums, in spring, the older teenagers are a particularly special group because those ages are less likely to be invited by other groups or organisations in the UK or in other countries.
The first fortnight, they spend, usually in pairs, with host families, where they get a chance to know local people and customs, and do activities and trips with the family or as a group with the other teenagers.
The Endon group said they are delighted that Cicely Haughton School has enabled them to spend the second half of their visit as a resident group, benefiting from school facilities that are just the thing to make this an unforgettable holiday.
Away from their normal pressures, and with time as residents to get to know and share with each other, the teenagers often develop friendships that continue long after they have returned to Belarus.
A team of dedicated local CCP volunteers are involved throughout the year in organising and supporting this part of the holiday, fundraising, organising events and trips and finding new host families.
While the teenagers were here, an exciting programme of activities was organised, including trips to London and to the beach in Llandudno (Belarus is a landlocked country so most will never have seen the sea) along with a camping weekend, a friendly England v Belarus football match and a craft day.
In between, the group come together to practice their dance moves and singing, in preparation for a thank you revue performance on their last night.
Host parents are invited to come and participate in some of the activities, several of which are arranged or supported by generous local North Staffs businesses.
Meanwhile, CCP volunteers come to prepare meals and do the cleaning and laundry, so the school can be handed back in perfect condition.
Mr and Mrs Gater added: “The residential fortnight at Cicely Haughton is a vital part of the holiday, not least because these children and their families rarely get a chance to talk about their experiences of living with cancer.
“For some, back in their homeland it can be a taboo subject, on occasion children even being shunned because of their illness.
“While at the school, they can freely discuss and make friends with others that have had successful treatment and are in remission.
“We are immensely grateful that our Belarusian teenage visitors can benefit from what may be a life-changing fortnight at Cicely Haughton School.”
Paul Spreadbury, headteacher at Cicely Haughton, said: “We are very privileged to continue our longstanding relationship with Chernobyl Children’s Project, as part of our commitment to working with the community and being able to make further use of our school building, residential areas and extensive grounds. We hope to continue to be able to support the project for many years to come.”
To find out more about the project or support the group, contact John and Julie Gater on 07816 842322 or julie.ccp@gmail.com.