Building a ‘Home of Hope’

Since April 26, 1986, when a nuclear reactor exploded at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine, hundreds of children have been born with birth defects and other health problems.

And it is on the anniversary of the disaster that the members of Chernobyl Children International are asking people to do something very simple - they are appealing to as many people as possible, old and young, in business or in school, to pledge £1, or do something simple like hold a ‘non-uniform day’ in school or a ‘dress down day’ in work, to help raise money for their Home of Hope.

According to Emma Hunt, a member of the Foyle and Inishowen Group of Chernobyl Children International, many of the children with illnesses and birth defects are abandoned by their parents as they were not in a position to care for them due to the extreme poverty they have to endure.

The explosion at the reactor plant released 190 tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere, 70 per cent of which fell over Belarus.

“The following years brought a massive rise in birth defects, hart conditions and childhood cancers, which continue to this day to effect children born into the danger zones,” said Emma of the fallout.

She said that most of the abandoned children ended up in adult mental asylums, where they were destined to spend the rest of their lives.

“Foyle and Inishowen branch of Chernobyl Children International are trying to raise £50,000 to purchase a Home of Hope in Belarus, where 10 children can move out from the orphanages and mental asylums and live as part of a family with loving foster parents,” said Emma.

“These children have not only been effected by the Chernobyl disaster, but have lost their families and have little hope for the future. They deserve a place they can call home,” said the CCI Foyle and Inishowen Group leader, Siobhan McNally.

In the 26 years since the disaster CCI volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide a wide range of help and disaster relief to the most needy effected by the nuclear melt down, including providing medical care, community development initiatives, rest and recuperation and busilding and construction programmes.

For more information on how to help contact Emma Hunt on 07775855638, or Siobhan McNally on 07588866865, or contact the head office on 0818252525. Alternatively visit the website chernobyl-international.com.