Six Belarus kids to return to area

When most people take a vacation, it is not to get away from the effects of nuclear radiation.
But over the past several years, children from Belarus have been doing just that in an effort to improve their health after leaving in the fallout zone of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986.
For six weeks last summer, 11 children from there stayed with host families across Rainy River District.
Usually, the youngsters can only come once because the program tries to offer the experience to different kids each year. But if their host families invite them back, they do have the chance to return.
That is what is happening for six of last year’s group.
Linda and Albert Beller (Sleeman) will host two boys again, Heidi and David Ivall (Rainy River) two girls, Kathy Zin and Terry Wilcott (Fort Frances) one boy, and Stuart and Yvonne Gill (Morson) one girl.
Both the Gills and Ivalls are really excited to be able to have the same kids come back. To them, they have become like members of the family, and they have kept in touch throughout the year.
“While we could have had different kids this year, once you know them, you get attached,” noted Yvonne Gill.
Letters from Belarus have been arriving on a steady basis, some written in Russian and some in English.
“Mrs. Sorokopud [of Rainy River] interprets the Russian letters for us,” said Heidi Ivall, who added it’s really fun to get the letters.
Last year, the visiting children received free eye and dental care, and were able to attend summer camp at Sunny Cove. It is hoped they will be able to participate in many of the same activities this summer.
Ivall and Gill recalled how the Fort Frances Multicultural Association hosted a really nice picnic for the kids and their “new” families shortly after they had arrived.
And generosity like that already has started to pour in this time around. Last Wednesday, the Rainy River Legion donated $1,000 to help defray the costs of bringing the children here.
Gill noted it costs about $1,500 per child to bring them here for six weeks but added the benefits far outweigh the costs. The kids not only experience a better life for six weeks, they return home much healthier.
Back in Belarus, they are exposed to radiation levels 40 percent higher than the fallout from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Here, they get to breathe fresh air, swim in clean water, and eat healthier foods.
For some of the children last year, there were many firsts–like swimming or eating fresh fruits regularly. And no doubt the visit was a bit nerve-wracking for some of the kids with so many unknowns awaiting them in Canada.
Both Gill and Ivall said they feel this visit will be even more beneficial since there won’t be that nervousness now that Canada is not such a strange, faraway place.
The date of arrival hasn’t been nailed down yet but it is expected to be in early or mid-summer. In the meantime, the host families are busy fundraising and putting together an itinerary.
Anyone wishing to help out in any way can call Gill (488-5416) or Zin (274-9483).