BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

31/05/2008

Caledon resident delivers aid to Belarus

Neil Matheson, a Canadian Aid for Chernobyl delegate poses with Rita Kintilova and her husband, Sergei. Another orphan, Sergei, sponsored by a Palgrave Rotarian after his mother died, was thrilled to have his very first bicycle.

Twenty volunteers from the organization Canadian Aid for Chernobyl travelled 4,500 miles to Belarus on a relief mission this spring. After clearing customs, they received the six, 40-foot containers that had been shipped from Canada. The men and women personally distributed 650 food parcels, 1,000 humanitarian aid boxes, clothes and sports equipment collected over the past year to several orphanages and to impoverished families.

This programme has dramatically improved and perhaps saved many lives and continues to focus on the most vulnerable victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster - the children.

Caledon resident Jennifer Hopson was one of the delegates and says that her second trip was as much of a life-changing experience as the first one.

While delivering aid, she was very fortunate to have Alex Simejkin join her. He is the orphan who spent last summer in Caledon with her family.

Simejkin is returning to Caledon this July along with a friend, Ghenya, from the Chausy Orphanage, to partake in a healthy, fun lifestyle and many experiences impossible to enjoy at the poor, under-equipped orphanage.

Bedroom wardrobes were delivered to complement the new beds the orphanage already received, assembled from the proceeds of the fifth annual Valentine Dance held in Caledon by Hopson's sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. The furniture is a daily reminder to the children that someone cares.

One of the most amazing discoveries in Belarus was meeting Rita Kintilova She and her husband, Sergei are a family of 30; four children are their own and the 24 others are foster children ranging in age from two to 24 years.

Last year, the Canadian delegation delivered one food parcel to this family from a Quebec affiliate. This year, they delivered 30 boxes generously donated by Canadians and filled with clothes, toys and extra food parcels.

"Rita Kintilova, with a beautiful chuckle named all the children and gave their ages without hesitation, complete with details about their talents whether scholastic, artistic or compassionate. All the children are loved as precious individuals!" said Hopson.

The children have recently talked their mom into receiving another child who needs a family. Six of the children have either completed or are currently enrolled in post-secondary education. Both boys and girls follow the mother's example and cook, care for, clothe, kiss and cuddle the little ones constantly.

Another orphan who tugged at Hopson's heart was Sergei, a teen who lost his mother to cancer when he was 16. He was sponsored through the CAC orphan education programme by a Palgrave Rotarian and now, at 19, is a welder.

"Sadly, the company where he is employed presently has no work. Learning that the Canadians were distributing aid in Belarus, he asked if he could receive a food parcel. After it was given to him, he was asked if there was anything else that he needed or wanted. He said, 'No,' but when asked again, he admitted that he'd love a bicycle. Hopson went to nearby Mogilev with a driver and bought a bicycle equipped with a light, bell and bookrack. When they arrived at his apartment a couple of days later, they asked him to come outside. Hopson inquired when he celebrated his birthday. He replied January 25 and so he was wished, 'Happy Birthday' and presented with the bicycle.

"It was truly the most wonderful birthday present I have ever given to anyone," admitted Hopson.

More than 75 gently-used bicycles were generously donated by Caledon residents and distributed by CAC volunteers to children this year in Belarus.

Representatives of McGillion Transport at 141 Healy Road in Bolton have kindly offered to accept more bicycles for Belarus orphans, which can be dropped off anytime Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

To learn more about Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, visit their website at canadianaidforchernobyl.com

Source:

http://www.caledonenterprise.com/lifestyle/article/49942

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