Why We Host
Chernobyl, Ukraine
On April 26, 1986, a test was conducted on the No. 4 nuclear reactor at Chernobyl. Suddenly, an unexpected power surge caused the temperature level to exceed design limits, resulting in a very unstable reactor. The nuclear fuel rods melted and the graphite reactor covering ignited.
The explosion that followed released more than 190 tons of highly radioactive material into the atmosphere.
In addition to the reactor’s immediate surroundings, other regions were heavily contaminated, particularly in Russian, Ukraine and Belarus.
Over 70% of the radiation from the Chernobyl accident fell on the country of Belarus and over one fifth of the total area of Belarus was contaminated. At the time of the accident, 2.2 million people, one fifth of the population of Belarus, lived in these areas. Today, over 600,000 children are still dealing with the effects of Chernobyl.
20 Years Later
The Chernobyl accident has had devastating and long lasting effects on the environment, economy, and people of Belarus: contaminated farmland and water supplies, widespread poverty, high unemployment, depression, malnutrition, increased cancer rates, and thyroid disease.
Each winter, two or three Global Family Alliance board members travel to Belarus to screen children for the Summer Hosting Program.
They travel with an interpreter and visit schools and orphanages in towns and villages in Belarus. School administrators and teachers recommend children who might qualify and would also do well being a guest for six weeks in a host family’s home.
Each child is interviewed and given a brief health exam to determine if they are healthy enough to travel to the U.S. and would benefit from the Summer Hosting Program.
Families in the U.S. who are interested in hosting a child from Belarus complete an application, criminal background check, and home interview.
Children from Belarus who are selected for the Summer Hosting Program have their photo and a brief biography placed on the Global Family Alliance website. Families can review this information and request a specific child.
Children in Belarus that are selected for the Summer Hosting Program and who have been requested by a U.S. family travel together with Belarussian interpreter/chaperones.
Some of the children and their interpreter arriving in the U.S. Of course, they are a little nervous yet excited about their journey and their summer.
Children on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula enjoying time together.
Children usually have a lot of dental care needs. Most dental care is donated by area dentists, such as Dr. Blackburn shown here.
Children are given a thorough exam of their thyroid since thyroid diseases are one of the most prevalent effects of Chernobyl.
Many families include the children in weekend church services. Here, the Montana children are listening to Pastor Pamie explain the gospel.
The children are offered many fun experiences during the summer. Many host families plan activities together which gives the Belarussian children a chance to visit with each other.
After a summer of getting to know each other and living together as a family, it is finally time to say good-bye.
Learn more about how you can get involved in Global Family Alliance.
