Children of Chernobyl Program

Look below for Margaret's essay

Click here for a mission trip update dated May 2, 2008

Click here for a mission trip update dated May 6, 2008

Click here for a mission trip update dated May 7, 2008

About the Program

On October 4, 2007 the Children of Chernobyl program was honored for its work in helping the world’s vulnerable children at the ninth annual Angels in Adoption gala, sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). Congressman James Moran presented the Children of Chernobyl committee with an award at the ceremony on Capital Hill. We are very pleased with the recognition our program has received and hope it will generate greater public awareness of the long-term effects of radiation and support for the program.

The Children of Chernobyl mission at Christ Church is in its 14^th 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. 

Studies have shown that even a short six-week visit helps restore health. A radiobiologist from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus found that all 76 children who were immune deficient before their travel abroad had normal cell function within six months after their return. “The overwhelming majority of children state the improvement of their health, disappearance of headaches, dizziness, irritability, tearfulness; improvement of sleep, desire to study and go in for sports after their rest.” One young woman, Julia, who came on the program in the early 1990s and is now a student at the prestigious Linguistic University in Minsk, wrote:  “Of course, my health has improved and my teeth are better than that of many of my friends, who were not able to receive dental care in a timely manner.  But the most important thing is I have become kinder myself . . .  Just to know that somebody, who is not a relative or a social worker, somebody who lives thousands of miles away from you, in other words, someone who doesn’t have to help you, but is willing to . . . it fills your heart with warmth and appreciation.  It feels like these people touch your soul.”

To learn more about this award-winning program please contact the Chair of the COC committee, Mary Beth Stein. Click here to send Mary Beth and email.

 Margaret Hudak and Veranika Mikutel at the beach

Children of Chernobyl Summer 2009

The following essay was written by Margaret Hudak, 5^th grader at Belle View Elementary School, 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.