Registered Charity number 1145175
Friends of Chernobyl's Children Lancaster was originally established in 2011, bringing a group of children every year since then to stay with local host families. Before the children come to the UK for the first time we support them and their families by visiting them and their families at their homes in Belarus. We also take the opportunity during this visit to make contact with children from previous visits and we host a party for them.
Each year we aim to provide a month of love and respite care for all of the children who stay with local host families in the Lancaster area. The children are typically aged 7 to 12 years. In addition to a good home with a loving, caring family with clean air and surroundings we organise visits for the children to a local doctor, dentist and optician. The children also take part in a variety of fun and educational activities during their stay. The children return to stay with the same host family for at least 4 years, thus building a special relationship with their individual child.
These children have never left their home before and, although it is a huge wrench for their parents to send them to stay with strangers for such a long period of time, the children benefit enormously from being away from their daily contaminated environment in Belarus and their often desperate economic situations.
Monday to Friday the children are looked after during the day by a variety of helpers and our two interpreters. Our committee organises an amazing programme of visits and activities to keep the children entertained during the day, thus allowing host families to continue with their normal working lives. We are also exceptionally grateful to Christ Church Hall, Wyredale Rd, Lancaster, who allow us to use their venue as a base during the children's stay.
After a month in Lancaster the children return home happier, healthier, more confident and excited about sharing their wonderful experiences with their families. Once back in Belarus the children know they have a special English family who care for them and look forward to seeing them the next year. They return home with a suitcase filled to bursting with clothes, shoes, toiletries, a year's supply of vitamin pills, presents and other items to help them and their families.
Even after the children have completed their allotted number of visits through the charity we are happy to assist with organising private visits for the children to return to their former host families.
If you would like more information about hosting a child or if you are interested in helping with the visit please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.
Each year we aim to provide a month of love and respite care for all of the children who stay with local host families in the Lancaster area. The children are typically aged 7 to 12 years. In addition to a good home with a loving, caring family with clean air and surroundings we organise visits for the children to a local doctor, dentist and optician. The children also take part in a variety of fun and educational activities during their stay. The children return to stay with the same host family for at least 4 years, thus building a special relationship with their individual child.
These children have never left their home before and, although it is a huge wrench for their parents to send them to stay with strangers for such a long period of time, the children benefit enormously from being away from their daily contaminated environment in Belarus and their often desperate economic situations.
Monday to Friday the children are looked after during the day by a variety of helpers and our two interpreters. Our committee organises an amazing programme of visits and activities to keep the children entertained during the day, thus allowing host families to continue with their normal working lives. We are also exceptionally grateful to Christ Church Hall, Wyredale Rd, Lancaster, who allow us to use their venue as a base during the children's stay.
After a month in Lancaster the children return home happier, healthier, more confident and excited about sharing their wonderful experiences with their families. Once back in Belarus the children know they have a special English family who care for them and look forward to seeing them the next year. They return home with a suitcase filled to bursting with clothes, shoes, toiletries, a year's supply of vitamin pills, presents and other items to help them and their families.
Even after the children have completed their allotted number of visits through the charity we are happy to assist with organising private visits for the children to return to their former host families.
If you would like more information about hosting a child or if you are interested in helping with the visit please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.