The children from Chernobyl are pictured with representatives of the Louvre Group.
A SHORTAGE of host families could see the end of Chernobyl children’s visits to the island.
Youngsters from the area affected by the 1986 nuclear disaster have come over to the island for the last 16 years.
Usually, 14 children would visit for a total of four weeks but this year there were enough local families to accommodate only 12.
Chairman of the Guernsey Chernobyl link Terry Iles said it was vital that they found more hosts so the trips could continue.
‘Over time we have gradually seen some of the original host families having to stop taking in children, perhaps due to illness or age,’ he said.
‘Originally there used to be two visits, one at Christmas and one in the summer, but it became too difficult to find accommodation for the children at Christmas as it gets quite busy.’
He said it was important that the children could come over to the island.
‘It gives them a chance to get away and have a decent diet and to get some fresh air.’
Mr Iles said visiting the island also gave the children a chance to access services that were not available at home.
‘Over the four weeks they have been here, they have been able to have eye tests and dental checkups,’ he said.
‘One little girl has been able to have a new pair of glasses, courtesy of Specsavers opticians.’
Activities have included visiting Herm and Sark, bowling and swimming and the children will go to Jersey before returning home.
Sasha Klochko, 10, said that his favourite part of the stay was being able to swim in a swimming pool.
‘It’s been a really good stay and I would love to come back,’ he said.
Dzmitry Protosavitsky, 11, said the island was beautiful.
‘I have never seen a castle before and I found it very exciting.
‘My favourite part of the trip was meeting my host family.’
The interpreter for the children was Tania Yaskovskavia, originally from Minsk in Belarus.
She has been involved with the visits for 16 years and has always stayed with the same family.
‘For me, it is like coming home,’ she said.
‘I feel like a part of the family. The children really develop over here. When they arrived they were pale and quiet, now they are tanned and full of self-confidence.’
She added that hosting a child was a big responsibility, but was not something to be afraid of.
Linda McNairn, 52, this year hosted two children.
‘This is the first time I have put up any children but it was something the family had talked about for two or three years,’ she said.
‘We get to offer the children a once-in-a-lifetime experience and see them having a good time as well as benefiting from the experience ourselves.’
Article posted on 1st July, 2009 - 2.29pm
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