Host Families Information
Chernobyl Children Appeal Ireland Ltd.
Policy Statement - Effective 1st January 2008.
This policy has been drawn up with regard to the following
national policy documents.
You can also visit the website below for more information
Role of the Interpreter
The Interpreter’s role is a key one. The safety and welfare of the children is paramount.
To ensure that we are crystal clear on the duties of the interpreters here are some guidelines.
· Each Interpreter is supplied with a mobile phone. If you need an interpreter please call the
numbers supplied to you, in the Information Pack.
· The interpreters must visit all new children within the first week. New children with experienced
host families must also be visited.
· Interpreters must make contact with all children in there charge at least once during there stay.
· Interpreters are here to work for Chernobyl Children’s Appeal and must not involve themselves
in outside employment.
· There may be occasions where an interpreter is “away” with the host family for a weekend.
Be aware that you can call on other interpreters in the area.
· Interpreters must not leave the Republic of Ireland during there stay here.
· Interpreters are there to translate for both the children and the Irish host families. If you have
letters to be translated do not hesitate to contact the interpreters.
Remember the translators are working for us so let’s use them.
Vetting
All host families are subject to the vetting procedure. This procedure will be carried out on an annual basis for families past, present and future this is due to changes in family circumstances. This will include references from two of the following: Your local GP, Garda Station or Priest
Any person not willing to complete a vetting form will be unable to host a child through the Charity.
All forms must be submitted no later than 28th of January.
Chernobyl Children Summer Break Program
( Notes For Host Parents )
These notes are intended primarily for those parents who are hosting a Belarus child for the first time and who might learn from the experience of others. There is information also for experienced host families. Guidelines are only offered because the child is in your and becomes part of your family for the three weeks holiday in Ireland.
Every effort is made to place children with families, which include children of the same sex and age. Your child will know very little English although he/she has been learning English for a few years at school. This is not normally a problem. Several teachers /interpreters accompany each party. You will be able to contact a teacher by phone if a language problem should arise. Your son/daughter will become the firm friend of the Belarusian child and will pay as important part as you for the duration. It is important to maintain the same discipline with your host child as with your own .It would be easy to spoil a child for they are unused to the luxuries we take for granted. Please try not to. They will have to attune to a life of deprivation again so soon! Also it is possible the child may misbehave if he/she thinks that he/she can do no wrong. It is hard to win back your authority if you have not started out on the right foot.
Our representatives in Mozyr , the school principals and / or the authorities in Mozyr and Khoiniki choose the children, which are the towns in Belarus closest to the worst radiation contaminated area. They are aged between eight and fifteen for most part. They are all reasonably healthy, so they do not require medical attention. Priority is given to those most in need, who have not been away before and to the most deserving.
The main purpose of the exercise is humanitarian. Removing these children even for a short time, from the radiation -contaminated area is enormously beneficial to their quality of life. Medical opinion holds that one week away adds a year to their quality of life expectancy. They are happy children, talented and full of fun and joyous in the face of adversity. The gratitude of their teachers and parents is very moving.
Some groups arrange outings. These offer the opportunity for all the Belarus children to come together and chat in Russian. Usually a few Irish children come too on these days and this helps. You may be glad of the break! If you are planning a trip away from home, but inside the Irish republic overnight, please let us know. The children may not be taken outside the Republic of Ireland.
By all means buy a few items of clothing for her/him if you wish, but there is no need to be expensive or extravagant. Presents will flood in anyway and no child ever returns in the outfit they arrived in. Be relaxed and enjoy your child while you have him/her. You will miss them when they leave. So will your children and indeed your neighbours children.
Guidelines
Group Leaders and host families
It is most important that you fully understand the purpose of the Belarusian Chernobyl Children coming to Ireland is for rest and recuperation. It is not a holiday for children to acquire all kinds of material goods. Primarily, it is to help the children's health and to receive lots of love and special attention. We have been very disturbed by reports that children from Belarus are coming abroad with huge expectations for goods. It must be made clear to both, the children and their families what the purpose of our holiday program is.
Children are not brought here to receive medical treatment: rather the medical history provided is a point of reference for doctors only if a child should require urgent medical treatment while here. Children who come on the summer break program are passes fit by their own health authorities. Should you need medical advice please contact your interpreter as he or she will have a contact number for the visiting Belarusian Doctor.
Children should be registered with the hosts own Medical Practitioner. You're own doctor should be willing to provide any treatment or check-ups required for the children free of charge.
Should a child become ill they must be referred for medical attention. Information concerning treatment is to be forwarded to Chernobyl Children Appeal Ireland. This information is then passed on to the child's parents. Should an accident occur, a report should be completed stating the time, date and nature of the accident and any resulting care and treatment provided should be noted. If any witnesses were present, a statement should be taken. Where possible an adult with First Aid qualifications should be present on group events.
Remember that the only difference is that of language. The child should follow all family rules just as your own children do. Children should become involved in the full range of leisure activities, which are normal for the household. They are to be encouraged but not unduly forced to participate.
Sleeping arrangements for adults and children should be separate, but within earshot in case of distress. In a family household, children should not share a bedroom with the opposite sex.
Demonstrative affection should be applied cautiously in case the child feels intimidated or alarmed. Members of committees have a duty to report any allegations of child abuse to the Chernobyl Children Appeal Ireland office and group leader. A list of contact names and numbers will be provided to the child for direct contact to the Chernobyl Children Appeal Ireland office.
Children should have the opportunity without the host family being present to speak to the Interpreter. It does not appear to be a good idea to have an Interpreter and a child stay in the same home.
It appeared that families hosting two children did not come across, with, as many problems as families hosting one child.
The Interpreter should not, however, maintain an authority position in relation to the child or group. That is the role of host family and group leaders.
Anyone planning to take children away for more than one day should inform their group leader and provide them with a contact phone number. Anymore than three days then the host family must also directly inform the head office. Please make sure that contact is made with a board representative.
As these children are in a strange country and far from home and their normal environment, it is assumed that contact between children and their host parents will be maintained on daily basis, as much as possible. To keep the child feeling secure, if this is not possible then the child should only stay with responsible adult.
If you have any further questions or concerns you can contact the head office or an interpreter, form the list you receive on the child's arrival.
Thank you and enjoy the experience. If you require further information please do not hesitate to CONTACT us.
