Families host Belarusian children :: Charter'97 :: News

In 1986, the world`s worst nuclear power accident occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Today, high radiation levels still affect many people ? including children in Belarus.

Hoping to make life a little better for the children still suffering from the nuclear disaster, some Charlotte health care workers and families have been bringing Belarusian children to the United States.

Children like 8-year-old Hannah come to Charlotte and live with host families while they undergo medical testing. Despite the doctors` visits, it is a pleasant experience. The medical workers who volunteer their time to examine the children overcome fear and a language barrier with smiles.

"Especially whenever we are trying to say that, `We`re fixing to stick you,` and things like that that we do not know the phrases to say in their language ? always keeping a smile on our face is very important," said Christy Edwards, of Presbyterian Healthcare.

The good-natured contact has rubbed off on Hannah, who has blossomed during her visit.

"Each day she smiles more, and talks a little more," said Hannah`s host mother, Rachel Drees. "She had French fries for the first time and saw a picture of herself for the first time."

Though her native language is Russian, she has quickly learned to communicate with Americans in English. She even corrects those who mistakenly think she is from Russia.

"I am from Belarus," Hannah explained.

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe. It is located east of Poland and west of Russia, and Charlotte is quickly becoming a popular destination for its youth. Belarusian children have been coming to the Queen City and other parts of the United States for more than 10 years.

In Charlotte, Presbyterian Healthcare workers test the children`s blood, hoping the lingering effects of the radiation from Chernobyl will not keep the children from living healthy and normal lives.

Several host families developed such a strong bond with visiting Belarusian orphans that they adopted them.

"Knowing these children and the effects that they`re having to live with, effects of Chernobyl, and just the poverty and the lack of hope that is over there, I just thought this would be a great thing for our family to be able to reach out," said John Marus, the Charlotte group coordinator for the American Belarusian Relief Organization. "We`ve been blessed with so much."

Event health care workers who see them for just a short time say they benefit from the experience, too.

"I truly love doing this," Edwards said. "I mean, to interact with every single one of these kids and to see them smile and just the way they interact with each other because they haven`t seen each other in a while, and see them happy ? I think that`s what`s rewarding."

Doctors say high levels of radiation can increase the risk for leukemia and thyroid disease. So far, however, the children tested in Charlotte have not suffered from those illnesses.