Chernobyl
and Belarus
Remember Chernobyl - that fateful day in 1986? Many people in Belarus have
good reason to. Although the explosion occurred in the Ukraine, the cloud
of radioactive material drifted north over the eastern part of Belarus
(Chernobyl is less than 20Km from the Belarus border), contaminating large
areas of the country. Around 75% of the contamination from the explosion
occurred in Belarus. The immediate effect was a 200-fold increase in the
incidence of thyroid cancers, caused by radioactive iodine. As iodine, has
a relatively short half life, risks arising from it reduce relatively
quickly - only to be replaced by risks from caesium-137, strontium-90, and
plutonium-239 with half-lives of 30, 29, and 24,400 years, respectively.
In 1998, New Scientist magazine quoted research showing an 85% increase in
congenital malformations in children in the most heavily contaminated
areas, and a 24% increase in the so-called 'clean' areas of Belarus. Other
manifestations of the radioactive contamination are increased rates of
tumours and leukemia. Beacuse of the long decay period associated with the
conatiminating elements, the problem gets worse as time goes by as
virulent material is distributed over even wider areas as a result of the
action of wind and water.
Kids Aloft 2000
The Kids Aloft 2000 project is the latest in a series of projects
(run every 2-3 years) which aims to provide a holiday in Scotland for 96
children (and 10 adult supervisors) from Belarus, from June 7 to 27. Many
parts of Belarus are still severely contaminated, and the county's economy
has been disrupted. Even those children who are considered healthy by
Belarus standards, often suffer from weakened immune systems. The object
of the project is therefore to give as many children as possible the
opportunity to enjoy fresh air, exercise and good food in order to build
up their general health. The children will be hosted by 12 Baptist
churches throughout central Scotland, each church taking 12 or 24 children
for 10 days. In this way, the children will get the opportunity to see two
different parts of the country. The will be accommodated in the homes of
volunteers in the respective towns where they will be based. Extensive
programmes of outings are being arranged by the churches, to maximise the
'fun factor'. In addition, the churches will be seeking to provide the
kids with clothing and other items which will be of use on their return
home. Many of the gifts received by children on previous visits of this
kind were passed on to relatives and other needy children on their return
home, so the benefits of the visit are felt beyond the immediate circle of
children involved.
Project Progress
Representatives from 'Servants Aloft Ministries' were in Minsk from 22-26
March. They have succeeded in obtaining visa approval for all the visitors
(adults as well as children). The contract for the charter flight has been
signed, and all necessary other details, such as approval by parents and
guardians resolved. The children will be aged between 8 and 13, and will
be equal numbers of girls and boys. They will come from four areas in
Belarus - Brest and Grodno in the West and Gomel (considered the worst
affected town in Belarus) and Mogilev in the East. Ten adults will
accompany them. Good progress has been made in getting project-wide
sponsorship in the form of holdalls, toilet bags, toothpaste, toothbrushes
etc. There is still plenty of scope for us to get items locally, however,
and if you think you know someone who can help, please e-mail us.
Maybole
A draft programme of outings has already been agreed by Maybole Baptist
church, and work is continuing to refine the finer details (for example
what to do if the Scottish weather proves to be just a bit wet
occasionally!). Finding volunteers has not proved difficult, and we have
even had friends from beyond our own church volunteering. All the churches
of the town have responded enthusiastically, and the community council
have generously donated the community bus, free of charge, for the whole
period of the visit. Donations to funds have been going well, and special
thanks are due to a good number of 'senior citizens' who have given with
great generosity. Local businesses have also been very kind with many,
very valuable offers of practical help already received.
WEB-SITE
RELEASE from
Rev Richard
MARTIN
- Minister - MAYBOLE
BAPTIST CHURCH
CHERNOBYL
Gone & Forgotten?
Well, do
you remember 26th April 1986?
What were you
doing 14 years ago, to the day?
I had just
turned fifty. My youngest, at fourteen, was nearly my height. Now hes taller
than me, a father, and Im Grandad to a healthy little lad who is nearly six
years old.
Had we been
living in Belarus, the country north of Ukraine and close, so close, to
the Ukrainian town of Chernobyl, my son and I might well have contracted
radiation sickness, that day. The consequences of this sickness could have
resulted in our little lad suffering today from throat or thyroid cancer or a
blood disorder or something else.
The name,
Chernobyl, is etched on my memory. But I know little about the serious nuclear
accident. That was way back then and my children and their children are
fine. Yet, still today, in the year 2000, Chernobyl has meant that children in Belarus
are at far greater risk than normal of suffering these terrible and life
threatening illnesses. And the economic state of the country is no help to the
many who do suffer these illnesses.
Here at MAYBOLE
BAPTST CHURCH in this our centenary year - we are co-operating with the
Ayr based charity WINGS ALOFT MINISTRIES to bring a party of children
from Belarus to Scotland for a summer holiday. For ten days, we shall
have 12 children and two adult carers (from a much larger group). They will
spend their first ten days with another church.
This is a big
project, for us. Maybole Baptist Church has a small membership, and many of our
number are well on years. But members have already volunteered to house the
children. We must also run an enjoyable programme of activities for the children
and provide the main meals, for the ten days they are with us.
We need
fresh and tinned food to provide the main meals including plenty of fruit
and milk;
we also need
transport to take the group to beaches, to play centres, and to other
attractions;
and we need
money spending money for the children, and money some to cover what we are
not given in kind (food, entrance fees, clothing etc. (- weve been told to
budget £1500+!).
ABOVE ALL WE
NEED PRAYER
- we trust God
to see us through this venture please pray that all our needs will be met
and that we do not waiver.
IF YOU ARE
ABLE TO HELP WITH ANY OF THESE ITEMS PLEASE CONTACT Revd. Richard Martin
on: Rma7734041@AOL.com
[The
Belarus flag above is copied from Microsoft ENCARTA 97]
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