Belarus is a fairly flat country with abundant pine and silver birch forests. Horses are used to work the farms and also for transport.

The children often have to walk long distances from remote villagesto reach the nearest school and in winter the temperatures may be -30.

Markers warn of the ever present danger of radiation still present in the food chain and in the air.

Large boulders mark the entrances to contaminated villages which have been bulldozed flat and buried.

Village houses are usually made of wood and rarely have running water or an indoor bathroom. They are heated by a log burning stove and kitchens have primitive appliances and storage.

Water must be collected daily from the well to be used for cooking, cleaning and washing.

Most families in the villages try to grow vegetables that they can either store under the floorboards in many cases, or pickle for the harsh winter.