- Scenes from Belarus
History of Project Restoration’s
“Children of Chernobyl” Program
In
the summer of 1997, five very tired and scared children stepped off the plane
in a foreign country met by strangers - and the adventure began.
That summer each of the children who were invited had congenital amputations
and needed prosthetic assistance. While they couldn’t speak our
language...it seemed that there were no major communication barriers.
Of course, we had an interpreter but the families knew they wouldn’t always have her by their side. Upon their arrival we soon found that there seems to be a “universal children’s language” and that they communicate with each other with the greatest of ease!
They were excited. They wanted to see and learn and experience. Not only did the children have prosthetic care, but also received a pediatric check-up and the dreaded visits to very kind dentists!! Those emotions and desires have been prevalent with each new group of children who have come during the following six summers.
They are generally from needy families and many exist on
welfare. While here they have enjoyed pottery and art classes, attended
VBS, have gone on field trips to local attractions, vacationed with their host
families and a multitude of other things. Of course, they always like
shopping!!
The number has varied from five children the first year to eighteen in 2002. There have been approximately 100 visits to our area by our Belarusian friends. Each of the years has been similar...but also different depending on the children and what each host family has planned for them.
Project Restoration wishes to thank
the SCCF for the grant given for the development of this site.
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Inc.