BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/07/2006

Belarussian teens in Ellensburg for summer

By MIKE JOHNSTON

Six teenagers from the former Soviet Republic of Belarus arrived in Ellensburg July 4 for a five-week stay in the Kittitas Valley.

This week they are getting a taste of U.S. history, culture, government and free enterprise.

The six were brought here by the nonprofit Children of Chernobyl organization, which has matched Belarussian kids with local families for summer home stays since 1995, according to local and national program leader Cec Calhoun.

She said the primary focus has been to give the kids a time of health recuperation and medical and dental care. They live in a zone that was affected by the April 1986 explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor.

"The medical community has once again graciously opened up their appointment books to provide them the care that is needed," said Calhoun.

In 2000, the goals of the program expanded to include cultural enrichment experiences for the kids, including attendance at Central Washington University's statewide Business Week conference for young people.

Local speakers presented the Belarussian teenagers with information about Kittitas County's history, election process, cultural values and judicial system. Five of the teenagers are 16, one is 15.

Maryna Fedarava, 16, is from the Belarussian city of Mozyr and said it was the first time she has visited the United States.

"Everyone, especially my host family, have all been kind and friendly," Fedarava said Tuesday during a tour of the Kittitas County Historical Museum. "To my host family I'm not just a guest, but I feel they accept me as one of their family."

She wants to improve her English skills while in the United States and said she will receive much-needed eye glasses before she leaves.

Fedarava said the wind drift from the Chernobyl disaster affected a large area, and many people are now dealing with ailments related to longterm exposure to higher-than-normal radiation levels. Certain kinds of berries and mushrooms can't be picked, she said, because of their radiation levels.

Calhoun said the group of teenagers will make visits to the Cave B Estate Resort & Winery, Purity Soapworks, Old Chick Enterprises, Complete Computer Systems and CWU Computing.

Calhoun said people, families and organizations wanting more information on the program can contact her at 925-3888.

Source:

http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2006/07/20/news/news03.txt