Many thanks to Janice for sharing. In her own words. Ed
Nine child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have arrived on the Isle of Wight for a month-long recuperative stay which could add years to their lives.
Contamination and poverty have blighted the lives of thousands in those areas of Ukraine and Belarus hit by the 1986 Soviet disaster.
Families still suffering health problems
The radioactive plutonium released into the atmosphere in the power station explosion may take thousands of years to degrade.
Twenty-seven years after the disaster, evacuated families are still in “temporary” accommodation, and still suffering health problems, and contaminated food.
Children, in particular, are vulnerable to poor diets and damaged immune systems.
Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline
The charity Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline was set up by Victor Mizzi, a retired businessman, in 1992.
Families working with its Island branch host children, aged around ten years old, each summer. It’s estimated that the break from conditions at home can add two years to a child’s life.
Dental and eye examinations
At home they never get to see a dentist or an optician, and so their holiday includes this sort of check-up, including a trip to Specsavers in Ryde, for a vital eye test.
The children enjoy visiting most of the Island’s tourist attractions – and many give them free or discounted entry. If the weather is good, then a first ever trip to the beach will be something to remember for the rest of their lives.
The benefits of country air
Melanie Boileau Goad, who has two Ukrainian girls staying at her Niton home, said:
“It’s amazing how different the children are after a few weeks of country air, good food and a bit of fun.
“Some of these kids arrive with literally the clothes they stand up in. They’ve never seen the sea, or had a bubble bath.
“Their ground is so contaminated, they can’t get enough fruit while they’re here, they think it’s wonderful. Some of the children had never eaten a banana. They can’t get over everyone’s kindness.”
One Island host family were mystified to find 50 empty plastic water bottles in carrier bags under their visitor’s bed. It turned out she could cash them in for pennies at home, and had spent the month dutifully collecting the group’s empty bottles to help her family.
Why Islanders host the children
Some Island families have hosted the children, always in pairs so they don’t get homesick, for years. They receive no money, but say their reward is seeing the transformation in their guests in so short a time.
Paul Smith, chairman of CCLL’s Isle of Wight branch, said:
“These families are unsung heroes who work for nothing to give these kids a chance.”
Sponsors
As well as Specsavers, Island sponsors this year include: UK Sailing Association, Osborne House, Havenstreet Steam Railway, Godshill Model Village, Amazon World, Isle of Wight Pearl, Chessell Pottery, Wight Water Adventure Watersports, Fairway Holiday Park (Sandown), Ventnor Putting Green, Robin Hill, Blackgang Chine, Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Premier School Sport Coaching and the Isle of Wight College (minibus to and from airport).
Financial support needed
Wightlink this year brought the party across the Solent free of charge, but it still costs hundreds of pounds to fly each child here, plus a translator, and donations are urgently needed to fund trips in future years.
To help, please go to www.justgiving.com/ccl, and mark your donation for the Island Hosts (IW) branch.
Image: All smiles: The group, plus their interpreter, Vita, at Seaview Wildlife Encounter
