Об одном осчастливленном ребёнке

Dear Friend, 

As children from Belarus enjoy their summer holiday with host families all around the country, and another small group of children due to arrive in Ireland later today, I would like to share with you the story of one inspiring child.

Maryna is 11 years old and has lived in Vesnova Children's Asylum in Belarus since she was born. Her cerebral palsy means that she has difficulty with walking and speaking but this in no way dampens her lively spirit. Trina Gilchriest from Dublin, fell in love with Maryna's mischievous smile and appetite for fun while on a volunteer medical trip in Vesnova. Despite the daunting challenge of Maryna's complex needs due to her disability Trina and her family requested to bring Maryna to Ireland to stay with them for a second time, having also spent last Christmas with the Dublin family.

Trina, Maryna & Adi at Shannon Airport last month

I was delighted and privileged to witness the joy shared between Trina and Maryna as they were reunited last month in Shannon Airport. On the same day over 150 Belarussian children were met by their respective host families and welcomed once again with outstretched arms. The arrival of this summer's children brings the total number of children who have benefited under the Rest & Recuperation Programme to over 24,700 children since the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. A month in Ireland with clean air and food can add up to two years to the life of a child. 

Year after year our host families open up their homes to hundreds of children who have been affected by Chernobyl. It is a truly extraordinary act of kindness and generosity and means the world to me and to children like Maryna. 

There is hope...It's you.