Who We Are
In 2003 the Verwood Link, which was originally formed in 1998 by John & Kathy Leader, was renamed The Silver Birch Link.
The three reasons for the rename were:
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Our catchment area is now very wide, covering parts of Dorset & Hampsire and it was sometimes thought by our ‘would be’ hosts that we did not cover their area.
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The country Belarus is prolific with Silver Birch trees and the people, tap the trees to gain a good source of clean filtered water.
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Lastly, and most importantly, a name that the children will be able to associate with.
The Verwood Link was taken over in 2002 with Sue Molden as chairperson, with help and support of her husband Chris. Sue & Chris first hosted in 1999, and have travelled to Belarus a few times, visiting as many as possible of the hosted children.
The name may have changed, but the principles are the same:
To raise funds to bring children to our area for a months respite.
The charity, Chernbyle Childrens Life Line, was founded in 1992 to help the children of Belarus. It is made up of approximately 150 links set up around the country whose aim is to raise money in order to bring groups of children to their particular area for respite care. Over 4,500 children are brought to the UK annually by the CCLL, and to date the total number of children is in the region of 50,000. It is estimated that a month in the UK eating uncontaminated food, breathing uncontaminated air boosts their immune system to such an extent, that it gives them an extra two years on their life expectancy.
In the words of Dr. Zolovok, Director of the children’s hospital for the Soligorsk region:
“For each child taken to the UK they are returned two years life. We are the hostages of the hazardous aftermath of radiation and a future of our very race is threatened with extinction, as our children, our gene pool is seriously ill. In the midst of this tragedy, we have been given hope by the people of the UK. Thank you for supporting the lives of our children”
The CCLL charity is voluntary – there are no overheads, with the exception of postage, stationary and telephone bills – and no salaries, all donations go towards helping the “Chernobyl Children”.
The Charity Support:
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Children in Trouble
- Association of Fireman
- # 1 Baby Hospital in Minsk
- # 3 Hospital in Gomel
- # 1,2 & 6 Orphanage in Minsk
- Cancer Hospital in Minsk
- Construct laundry, shower and toilet in Lapitchy
- Lapithchy & Zhonovka schools new toilet block
- Foster Homes
- Purchase and supply cows
- Smoke detectors to all homes
- Lapitchy village water wells
The children who reside in towns are likely to live in one of the many crumbling tower blocks that are such a feature of Belarus. It is very unlikely that they have their own bedroom, and many have to share with their parents. Children who come from villages are likely to come from extremely poor backgrounds. The ‘houses’ are little more than wooden sheds and they are unlikely to have running water.
Schools operate on a ‘shift’ system – the early shift will start around 7.00am and the late shift will finish around 8.00pm.
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