Orphan arrives in Caledon from Belarus

Jennffer Hopson (right) made a presentation to the Rotary Club of Palgrave, where she introduced Aleksej. Also shown are Bob Hopson and translator Veronika.

In March 2007, Jennifer Hopson of Caledon East traveled to Belarus with the organization, Canadian Aid for Chernobyl (CAC). The group was in the Mogilev Region for two weeks and delivered 650 food parcels, 1,000 humanitarian boxes and numerous other items to impoverished families. As part of the trip, three of the region's 27 orphanages were visited and six containers of supplies that had been collected by CAC were distributed.

The final delivery took them through an evacuation zone to the Kostukovichi Orphanage just 40 miles from Russia. While there, Jennifer met a young, 13- year-old boy, Aleksej, who approached her and introduced himself in English. He had lived in the orphanage for two years since the death of his father. They agreed to correspond by mail with letters translated by an interpreter. After returning home, Jennifer couldn't forget the young boy who wrote to her saying that his childhood dream was to visit Canada and how he hoped to one day be a pilot. She searched the internet and found another organization that brought children to this area for summer respite. Luckily, they had one seat still available on the flight from Prague to Toronto.

Canadian Friends of Chernobyl's Children, a non-profit, nongovernmental charitable organization is hosting 14 children from the Republic of Belarus this summer in Brantford, Elmira and Caledon. The group, like others associated with "Hope for the Future" in Belarus was initiated to provide summer respite to children in those areas contaminated by the Chernobyl's nuclear disaster of April 1986. This lifechanging experience builds confidence in the child, teaches new life skills and provides hope.

Typically, visible changes in the children include improvement in skin coloring, disappearance of bruises and relief from coughs. More important changes include reductions in radiation levels and improvements to the immune systems.

Alex has already received medical services generously donated by Dr. Niedoba, a Bolton family physician, Dr. Mckenzie, a Bolton optometrist and Dr. Sylvia King, a Caledon East dentist. Luke Ursa, general manager of the Glen Eagle Golf Club has also provided an introduction to golf to young Alex. Glen Eagle has been the venue for four annual Valentine dances which have raised more than $30,000 to support new initiatives by the CAC. Last year's dance was a great success with proceeds donated to Hope for the Future. They purchased a minibus for the Chausy Orphanage to transport children to their various competitions.

One boy from the Chausy orphanage using donated skis took first place in the Republic in cross country skiing for his age group. He won a trophy and has been invited to train with the Olympic training camp for future promising athletes. Many boys wearing used skates provided by the CAC participated in hockey tournaments within the Mogilev region of Belarus and have received extended invitations to the capital city, Minsk, next season. The orphans have received achievement awards with several national first places in sports competitions.

Although the most important role of the host family is to provide the child a loving, stable environment, the challenge of providing simple pleasures such as swimming, riding bicycles or playing cards are unbelievable thrills. Communication begins with charades but children quickly adapt to their surroundings and speaking English. Hugs and smiles ease the pain and stigma of being an orphan!

To learn more about becoming involved through the Canadian Friend's of Chernobyl's Children or donating gently used sports equipment or aid to the many orphanages helped by the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, please contact Jennifer Hopson at 905 584- 1814 or jenhopson@hotmail.com.