Chernobyl kids spent a special christmas in meath

Enfield native Geraldine McGarry was one of a number of hosts who recently welcomed a group of 30 children from Chernobyl for a very special Christmas holiday in Ireland.

The children, who come from impoverished backgrounds and state-run institutions in Belarus, were flown to Ireland by Adi Roche's Chernobyl Children International (CCI).

Geraldine, who is chairperson of the Trim group of CCI and former coach operator at Enfield Coaches, has been working with the charity for 16 years and was on hand to welcome Sasha (11) and Vasha (12) to Ireland.

Both Geraldine and her husband, Tom, have worked with the charity since a chance encounter a number of years ago. 'I was Enfield Coaches' coach operator when the Trim group asked me to collect children from Shannon,' she said. 'When I saw the set-up, I did the trip voluntarily and I was then asked if I would take two children for the summer. I did, and I've been dealing with the project ever since.'

According to Geraldine, she gets more from the children than she gives to them. 'I get mountains of joy, I love to see the children happy,' she said. As the children come from orphanages or broken homes, the children are embued with a 'thoughfulness to each other' that is uncommon in other children of their age, she added.

Geraldine's work with the charity is very much a family affair. Tom, her husband, has accompanied Adi Roche as part of a convoy to Belarus on two occasions while her son, Paul, also visited Belarus.

'As an experience in the beginning, I thought it would be a good education for Paul,' she said. 'In return, he has learned an awful lot and it was well worthwhile. It is good for adult teenagers to see how the other half lives.'

While many years have passed since the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy, the country is now facing fresh economic challenges, according to Geraldine.

'Belarus at the moment is under severe depression because the cost of living has doubled in the past three years while wages have not increased,' she said. 'A wage packet out there would be a quarter of what we are earning here and the cost of living is actually more expensive.'

While many homes in Ireland are also struggling, particularly at this time of year, Geraldine acknowledges the public's constant support for genuine charities such as CCI.

'I'd like to thank the people of Ireland because while there has been recession throughout the country, they are still there to help in any way they can for genuine charities. All the funds are going directly to the children.'

Voluntary CEO of CCI Adi Roche added: 'While the needs here at home are great, it is marvellous to see the Irish people reaching out to those beyond our shores and showing love to abandoned and orphaned children who live with huge physical and intellectual disabilities.'

She added: 'Nothing as magical as this will ever have happened in their lives. This is the true meaning of Christmas – it’s about the giving, not the getting – the giving with open hearts, open arms and open homes,' she said.

CCI has delivered €96.5 million worth of humanitarian and medical aid to impoverished communities and children across Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia since 1986. More than 24,700 children from Belarus – the country most affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster – have come to Ireland with CCI for life-prolonging holidays during the summer and at Christmas time.