Children from Chernoble arrive in Beara for a well deserved holiday.

Sixteen worn-out children and their translator arrived in Shannon last Friday, June 2nd after a seventeen hour journey for some of them.  There had been technical problems in Minsk and their flight was delayed by 6 hours.  There are 8 girls and 8 boys from 7 - 12 years. 

Their first outing was to Orpen's Chip Shop who gave them and their host families a fantastic party - balloons, music, sausages, chips, ice-cream, chocolate bars and fruit.  There was even a special plate laid on for the adults. When everyone had eaten, about 30 parcels were produced and there was much laughter as all joined in a game of pass the parcel. 

On Fri. last night the children attended an Irish Dance Workshop in O'Dwyer's Hall, Ardgroom and stayed to watch a Feis.  Today they take part in a Tin Whistle Workshop - part of the Michael Dwyer Festival in Ardgroom.  There is another Tin Whistle Workshop on Sunday. 

On Monday June 12th its off to Tralahan to attend a bar-b-cue organised and sponsored by Murphy's Super Valu. 

The following Wedneday everyone heads for Dunboy where the teachers and pupils of Beara Community School are hosting another bar-b-cue with organised games and canoeing.  Also this week we have been invited to take part in  Scoil an Chroi Naofa's Sports Day - weather permitting.  Mmany other events have also been organised between now and June 30 when they return to Belarus.

This year our children originally came from the 'Purple Zone' which is the area nearest to Chernobyl.  Their villages were bulldozed with concrete poured over them.  The inhabitants were evacuated to other villages further North.  Most of our children come from a small village about 40 kilometres from Minsk.  They are very poor but beautiful children - there will be a lot of broken hearts when they have to go back. Thanks to Patricia Daly, Beara Outreach Project Group, the many host families here in Beara and the support of the community each of these children's lives can be extended by up to two years or more.