Golden Horseshoe Children of Chernobyl offers two respite programs; one of 8 weeks in duration and one of 12 weeks in duration. (We recommend first time host families participate for 8 weeks.)
What is involved?
The most important role of the host family is to provide the visiting Belarusian child with day-to-day care in a loving and stable environment. Provide lots of wholesome food, fresh clean air and the love that will make them feel at home in a foreign country so different from their own. The host family is required to provide basic living costs and transportation to and from appointments, airport etc... Most new children will not bring much clothing with them. Most families find that the presence of the child will foster a network of support through their family, friends, co-workers etc. and they will help provide for theses needs. New children in particular, will require dental care and should visit an eye care professional every second year. We encourage each family to attempt to find these services on their own through volunteers. If unsuccessful, the organization will attempt to make the arrangements on the family’s behalf. Medical treatment is provided on an as needed basis and each child is covered by travel medical insurance.
Each group of children is accompanied by a guardian who represents the interests of both the Belarusian Government and the children’s families. These guardians do double service as interpreters. Except in matters of life and death, each family must inform the guardian and receive their permission prior to administering medical treatment. The families must also keep the guardians informed as to the location of (i.e. vacation) and provide unrestricted access to the children.
What does it cost?
The budget for 2011 has not been finalized yet, but the cost
of transportation, visa’s, travel insurance, guardian expenses etc. is expected
to be $2,000.00 Many family’s receive sponsorship through their Rotary or other
service clubs. The organization will also participate in fund raising initiatives
for the benefit of the families. Some families run fund raising programs for
the benefit of their specific child. Golden Horseshoe Children of Chernobyl has
applied for charitable status under Revenue
About the Children
If you should decide to be a host family, you may request a
boy or girl and may specify an age range. Children are aged 8-17, but
most new children are aged from 8-10. All children are healthy (by
Belarusian standards) and from families (no orphans), and are chosen based on
their proximity to radioactive areas, their financial status, and their good
behavior in school. Many programs do not allow children to participate for the
first time if they have achieved their 12th birthday prior to departure. We
have no such hard and fast rule, but the success rate and adaptability of
younger children is considerably higher than with the older children. Most of
the children in our program come from the Drogichin region of southwestern
The children speak Russian or Belarusian, a dialect of Russian which blends Russian and many Polish words. The younger children (8-10) will probably speak no English. From ages 10 and up, they study English in school, and may understand a little. Most of the repeat children can speak English pretty well, and can help to translate. Many host families have initial reservations about hosting a non-English speaking child, but will find out it quickly becomes a "non-issue”. Your children (and pets) will learn to communicate with the Russian child before you will!
Each family will be provided with a more comprehensive guide to being a host family, assigned a mentor family who’s experience they can call on and a 24/7 cellular telephone number to access the guardian interpreter.
For a host family application please contact: info@childrenofchernobyl.ca
