The Board of Directors has worked really hard this year to grow our dwindling Children’s Program and we have been successful!  Last year we were at an all-time low of 6 children and this year we are back up to 19!  What is even more wonderful is that quite a few of these children are from the Chausy Orphanage, so not only are they receiving badly needed respite from the radiation but they are also learning what it is like to live in a loving family environment.  Something they can carry with them the rest of their lives and hopefully model when they start their own families.

Two important things we did this year directly impacted this result.  The first was the Board of Directors committing to raising all of the money to bring the children so the host families would not have to.  The second was shortening the program from six weeks to five weeks and we will see at the end of the summer how this worked for everyone.

On Tuesday a small group of us traveled to Montreal to pick up the children at the airport.  Although they were tired after their long journey, they were still smiling.  Here Vlada gives two of our youngest travelers, Marina and Valeria, a hug.

Here are all of the children waiting for Continue reading →