Children of Chernobyl

The Host Family Experience

If you’re interested, we’ll ask you to complete an application and then we’ll schedule a home visit. We try to match children with host families who have a child close in age. We’ll be there to support you during your child’s visit. An interpreter and experienced host families are just a phone call away whenever you need them. We provide resources, such as a phrasebook and a handbook. During their stay, the children experience our culture and way of life with sightseeing trips, parties and outings with other Belarusian children and their American host families.

Home Visit

If you are interested in hosting a child, please download the following application document (application), fill them out and email them to judycanyock@cox.net. You will be contacted to schedule a home visit, which usually lasts about 1 hour. You may also call (703-256-8330) or email the church office with your questions.

During Their Stay

What is expected of the host family? Love and Security. There is nothing more important than a family who can provide the combination of these two. You are the key to the success of the Children of Chernobyl Program because these children will come to trust and depend on you. They will be changed for the rest of their lives both through improved health and a cultural awareness. It is a great adventure and awesome responsibility!

Other responsibilities of the host family include:

• Providing nutritious meals.
• The extra expense if eating out (McDonalds for example).
• Providing needed clothing (donated used clothing will help, a pair of shoes or underwear may have to be purchased).
• Transporting the children to and from events or dental appointments.
• Organizing their belongings for their trip back home.
• Arranging play dates when possible.
• Providing some religious awareness.

We try to offer you fun options that the children can do with your family and without. We also try to defray some expenses in various ways such as, the clothes closet with good used clothing, providing meals during some activities, offering donated or borrowed items (i.e. bikes, Nintendo, etc.), and by providing gift and care bags.

"It's a sad existence for some of the kids," said Glen Hewitt, a government lawyer and host parent from Alexandria. "Coming here, they feel special. They have higher esteem and they see things differently. They see that there is hope."

Health Issues

Medical

All children are healthy before traveling. They will have radiation in their bodies, but that will have no effect on others. The chaperones bring releases signed by the parents allowing medical and dental care. Though medical records are not brought with them, we have asked for a record of inoculations and a list of allergies or any problems known to parents. Host families are NOT responsible for any cost incurred for medical care; the program insures each child.

Dental

All children will probably need some dental work. Some may need extensive work. Host families are NOT be responsible for any dental expenses. We have a list of dentists who have volunteered their time and expenses to the program. Appointments will be set up within the first two weeks of the children's visit to allow for time for follow up work if necessary. The initial appointment is a check-up and cleaning only.