Children of Chernobyl
The Children of Chernobyl mission at Christ Church is in its 14th year. The founder of the program was the late Joe Bailey, a photographer for National Geographic, who went to Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred in April 1986. Moved by the desperate situation of the people of Belarus, particularly the children whose immune systems were seriously compromised by radiation, he returned in 1992 to distribute needed medical and food supplies. While there, he learned about international efforts to evacuate children for recuperative trips to western nations, and determined to involve Christ Church in these efforts.
Today, Christ Church hosts between 15-20 children for six weeks each summer, and works with other churches to bring more than 60 children to Northern Virginia to enjoy clean food, water, dental care, and experience life in another culture. Altogether, Christ Church has hosted more than 200 children in the last fourteen years. They have all gone home with dental care that is not available in their country, winter clothing and medical supplies for the children of the family, and happy memories.
Mission from a 5th Grader Perspective
The following essay was written by Margaret Hudak, 5th grader at Belle View Elementary School, Virginia, for the PTA Reflections Program 2008/2009. This entry earned Margaret an Award of Excellence from the Fairfax County Council PTA in the literature category for her grade. Margaret and her parents, Ron Hudak and Susan Hahn, shared their home and hearts for the past two summers with a child from Belarus. Margaret obviously understands the mission behind this program and the importance of giving to others in need.
WOW Is Up to You
Wow is accomplishing something, like climbing to the top of Mount Everest, or running for one week straight to fight breast cancer.
Wow is also surviving from an accident or a disease.
The first man ever to walk on the moon was a Wow! I hope one day man will walk on Mars.
But what I think is Wow, is taking someone to the beach for the very first time. Over the summer I hosted a student from Belarus. Her name is Veranika. She is 12 years old and had never seen the beach; she had only seen it in pictures but never went!
Over the summer she dreamed of going to the beach, and I am glad we were together. When she first walked on the sand and smiled! For the first time she smelled the salty air, walked on the sand and let the wind blow her hair. When we went back inside our hair was blown up and sticky.
I was happy that Veranika's dream came true.
Now that's what I call WOW.
Note: For this same competition, last year, Margaret wrote about Veranika's first visit with Children of Chernobyl to Virginia. The PTA's Reflection theme was "I can make a difference." Margaret's essay was based on how she could make a difference being a friend to Veranika including a description of how the Children of Chernobyl program helps the kids be healthy when they go home. In this competition Margaret received an Award of Excellence at the District level.
For the past fourteen years members of this congregation have hosted children for six weeks during the summer. These children live in regions contaminated by the 1986 nuclear explosion at Chernobyl. The benefits of these respite visits have an amazing affect on the physical well being of a child. Unfortunately political conditions have brought this program to an impasse and it does not appear likely that children will be coming to the United States this summer. Fortunately last spring members of this Mission Committee traveled to Belarus to forge partnerships with children's programs operating with in the country. Plans are being made to support two non-profit organizations that assist disabled children unable to enjoy the benefits of summer respites outside of Belarus. We are also in the process of developing a program to collect and send used eyeglasses to Belarus.
By Margaret Hudak
For more information on Christ Church Alexandria
http://www.historicchristchurch.org/OutreachAndMission/Children.aspx