BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

07/07/2005

Warm welcome for youngsters from Belarus

By TRACEY TONG

Staff Writer

More than 120 people were on hand to greet 45 children from Belarus as they arrived in Brockville late last night.

Weary from their long trip, yet excited, the children arrived at Bethel Christian Reformed Church shortly before midnight to meet - and in some cases, be reunited with - their host families for the next six weeks.

Thirty-eight local families will be hosting the 45 children, thanks to $120,000 raised in the community over the last 10 months.

Although this is the Benoit family's first time hosting a Belarussian child, they have been sponsoring 13-year-old Katia Taranovyh's family, who live in the contaminated area of Chaussy, for the last four years.

"We jumped at the opportunity to host," said Connie Benoit. "I just loved it. It's a good experience for us..."

"And a good experience for the kid," added her husband, Steve Benoit.

The family has been corresponding with Taranovyh and her family for years, exchanging letters, photos, cards and gifts, said Connie.

"And for the next six weeks, she'll be one of the family," Connie added. "She'll be doing what our kids will be doing. She'll have her own room."

"It will be like having another child," Steve said.

The Benoits, who have two daughters, Amanda, 11, and Emily, eight, are looking forward to having the girls meet.

Although Amanda worries that the language gap between them might be a problem, her mother is confident that the girls will become friends.

"Katia is learning the piano, the same as one of our daughters. In a few weeks, they'll be talking their own pre-teen talk," said Connie, who has planned trips to Marineland, Niagara Falls, Paramount's Canada's Wonderland, and of course, to Brockville's waterfront.

In addition to having a respite from the radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power station explosion, all of the children will be receiving dental and eye care, which is more expensive in Belarus, while they are in Brockville.

Although many of the host families have been doing their own fund-raising to cover the cost of hosting the children, there are many other members of the community, employers and friends who have offered financial support, said Connie.

"It's surprising how many people are willing to help," said Steve Benoit.

Seventh time hosts John and Connie Schuler will be welcoming 14-year-old Marina Staradub back into their homes for the fourth time this summer.

The Schulers, who have five children of their own, first hosted a child in 1994 and have been doing it on and off ever since.

"It's just like having another sister at the house," said Elizabeth Schuler, 14.

The Schulers treat Staradub as one of their own, Connie Schuler said.

"She's been to family weddings with us, on vacation with the family and camping."

Although there's the typical adjustment period, the children quickly get accustomed to their new surroundings, Connie Schuler said.

"The first week, she's a guest, and then for the next five, she becomes one of the family," said Jonathan Schuler, 19.

According to Connie Schuler, Staradub is a dramatic, friendly girl who likes to sing and dance.

"We're looking forward to having her back," she said.

Having Belarussian children in Brockville will be good not only for the host families, but for the entire population, Connie Schuler said.

"It takes the focus off of ourselves and puts it on other people," she said.

"It makes you realize how much you have," John said.

This summer will be Nadia and Earl Nielsen's third time as hosts - to two 13-year-old girls who are relatives of Nadia's.

Nadia, who is Belarussian, escaped as a young child with her family during the Second World War.

"They're going to benefit greatly from seeing this beautiful city," said Nadia. "And just from seeing the kids, I think it will (inspire) more people to make donations to the country," she said. "It's amazing what Brockville does."

Other than the host families, there are silent sponsors who work through the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl Guardian Angels program, among others, Nadia said.

"Brockville has been very generous."

The entire Brockville community has been very supportive of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, said Connie Schuler.

"If you went down the street and asked 10 people what CAC is, eight people would know," she said.

"If the kids come over and see things here in a positive light, they think, 'this is how things can work,'" said Earl Nielsen.

"They can't help but go home and make a difference."

# Published in Section A, page 3 in the Thursday, July 7, 2005 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.

# Posted 4:30:00 PM Thursday, July 7, 2005.

Source:

http://newsfeed.recorder.ca/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=14240