Who are we?
We are a non-profit Christian organization committed to proclaiming Christ's compassion and love to the families of Belarus by meeting the needs of the children from the areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
We invite children to come to the United States for a 5 to 6 week health recuperative home stay.
During their stay, they are given medical, dental, and vision care. Time spent in a non-contaminated environment helps to strengthen
their immune systems, making them stronger. Studies have shown that the children return home better able to fight off illness and are absent from school three times less often the following year.
The children brought over are from needy families in Zelenochi, a small village in Belarus. The children's ages range between that of 8 and 12. These children are at risk for future illness due to the cumulative effects of low-dose
radiation. Their families do not have the means to send them away for health respite.
What is Chernobyl?
On April 26, 1986, the #4 reactor at the nuclear
power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, exploded releasing radioactive material into the earth's atmosphere.
The amount of radiation released was 200 times more than both Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined.
The Chernobyl accident has been declared by the United Nations as "the worst environmental disaster in the history of humankind."
The results of this disaster are far reaching.
More than 10,000 square miles were contaminated with radioactive fallout.
Most of this fallout, about 70%, settled in the country of Belarus. Approximately 300,000 people had to be permanently relocated.
In 1990, Belarus was declared an ecological disaster area. There are currently 2.2 million people, including 800,000 children, living in the contaminated areas.
Birth defects have more than doubled since 1986 and childhood thyroid cancer is more than 200 times the world norm.
The death rate in Belarus is now well above the birth rate.
See links below for more information.
Ways you can help:
What some of the families have said about this project ...
Words from parents:
" I thank you very much for inviting our Nadya to be with you and taking care of her as if she were your
own child. She is very pleased with her trip. She told us about how you took care of her.
She found out much for herself and we found out about you and your life.
Many thanks for the pictures you sent to us. Nadya told us about everything that was on each picture.
She told us where she visited, what she saw, and what she ate. She came home so fresh, so tan, full of life and energy."
"Sveta has been speaking all the time after her arrival.
She tries to share her impressions about the visit to America..."
"I was crying when I was unpacking Olga's suitcase.
But when we saw the photo album we were just startled. 'How come that mama having so many kids of her own and a huge house to look after found the time and the heart to take care of Olga as well?'
Olga said every evening she was kissed good night and they told her 'I love you.'
I am amazed how carefully chosen the gifts were and how attentive they were to my family.
I am very grateful and will be praying for them for the rest of my life..."
A letter from our interpreter upon returning to Belarus after her second trip to Idaho:
"Dear Friends:
I think I can call you friends after I have met you and have seen your sincere sympathy, concern, and generosity.
It is unbelievable to realize that there is a community thousands of miles away, across the world that thinks and cares for us, people from
distant Belarus. You have done so much for us so far that is is hard to find words to extend our gratitude and appreciation.
Every family in the church was truly interested, concerned, and involved.
And the most impressive thing was your understanding, patience, generosity, and good will to help.
We appreciate so much what you have been doing and we are praying and will be praying for you for the rest of our lives. Lord bless you!"
For more information on the Chernobyl Disaster visit these links:
Children of Chernobyl United States Alliance
A Virtual Guide to Belarus
Chernobyl: 20 Years Later BBC News
Chernobyl.info
Belarus- Wikipedia
World Factbook- Belarus
Contact us
Please feel free to contact us with comments or questions. We would love to hear from you.
E mail Steve
