Enjoying a visit to Ventnor Botanic Garden with their host families are, from left, Adrian Gobat, Kateryna Panchenko, 11, Ruslana Dyminska, ten, and Mary Gobat. Picture by Robin Crossley.
WIGHT LIVINGIT has been more than 20 years since a nuclear power plant exploded in Chernobyl, ripping through the heart of Ukraine.
Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus as a nuclear cloud of radioactive fallout was sent into the atmosphere in 1986.
Many people died from the effects of the explosion and it is estimated many more will do so, as today, thousands of children in the Chernobyl zone are either born with or go on to develop serious health conditions, including cancer, leukaemia and heart problems.
Since 1991, the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity has been helping children from the area, with the Island’s branch welcoming youngsters for the last 15 years.
For 13 years the children came from Belarus but for the last two years they have come from Ukraine.
Since 2007, the charity, now called Island Hosts, has been run by Paul Smith, of East Cowes.
Last Friday, I met ten children, aged between nine and 11, who had just arrived for their 28-day stay on the Island.
Laughing and joking among themselves at Ventnor Botanic Garden, there was nothing obviously different about them.
But behind the smiles, the reality is only two of the 200 pupils at the school they attend passed a standard medical test.
"The plant is still seeping and the air and land is contaminated but coming to the Island does wonders for their health because they don’t get to breathe in fresh air at home," said Paul’s wife, Jan, who hosts children at their home.
Paul said where an ordinary child would fall over and get a bruise, a child from Chernobyl would break a bone.
The latest trip was scheduled to take place in May, but the UK Border Agency refused ten visas. Seven children still came but ten had to wait.
"They had packed and some of them were crying on their suitcases, which was why we were so determined to get them over now," said Paul.
Group coordinator Vita Romanenko, who was visiting the Island for the first time, said the trip was an emotional experience for the children.
"The children live a happy life at home but they eat food grown in the country where the land is contaminated," said Vita.
"Coming here is something totally different for them, they benefit so much and the families are so impressed by how kind everyone is."
None of the children, except 11-year-old Tetyana Braychuk, who was part of a previous Chernobyl trip to the Island, had never been away from home for this amount of time.
And Tetyana said although she missed her family, it was too good to turn down.
"We have so much fun and I especially love going to the beach because we don’t have one at home," she said.
And her friend, Maryna Kaminska, 11, said although it was a long time away, her family wanted her to come.
"They know it is important for me to come here — I wouldn’t get this at home — the food is nice and there is lots to enjoy," she said.
Paul said the charity’s inspiration was to give the children opportunities that would not be available to them at home and he paid tribute to the Island’s community for helping it do so.
A number of people volunteer as host families, with children staying in pairs at people’s homes, and the charity provides anything they need, as most only travel with two sets of clothes.
They received complimentary tickets to a host of attractions, including Godshill Model Village, Osborne House, IW Pearl and The Needles Pleasure Park.
Sailing at UKSA, hair styling at the IW College, ferry tickets to go to Legoland and a 4x4 driving experience have been offered free of charge, plus free dental treatment at Sandown Dental Surgery and free eye tests at Specsavers, Ryde — with the children able to choose their own glasses.
"We cannot thank individuals, organisations and businesses enough because their generosity gives these children such amazing opportunities," said Paul.
Island MP Andrew Turner, who met the children at Ventnor Botanic Garden, echoed Paul’s testament to the Island’s community.
"We are very lucky that year after year people do this to give these children a trip remember," said Mr Turner.
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk