The Sunday Archive: The Pilot, August 1997 - Part 3

Through the Study Window

By Tony Keogh

THE day is glorious: Jersey at its best with a clear blue sky, the sound of bees and the temperature rising well into the 70s. As I look out of the study window at the lush garden, it is hard to believe that, in about four and a half hour's time, I shall be presenting the dreaded report of the Pastoral Committee to the Deanery Synod, on a scheme to reduce the number of Anglican clergy in the Island.

One of the joys of my study is my library. I have a particularly soft spot for old books of sermons given to me over the years by older clergymen. I remember timing one of the "shorter" sermons on a tape recorder; it had no difficulty in breaking the 35 minute barrier. One such sermon was entitled "The Principle of Displacement" by a justly famous preacher called Percy Ainsworth. He took as his text Isaiah 55: 13: "Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress" (RSV). When a farmer or a gardener looks at a weedy piece of ground, he tears out the weeds but he does not leave the ground empty; he replaces the weeds with flowers or a useful crop.

In life, the way to get rid of bad things is to replace them with good things. Surely this is the lesson of the parable of the empty house (Luke 11: 24-26). The demon was ejected from the house, the house was swept clean but it was left empty and the consequence was that the demon came back with seven demons worse than himself and re-occupied the empty house. To keep the demon out, he should have been replaced by good occupants; replacement, not emptiness, must be the principle of life.

May I leave you with a thought, as I sit and pray and think about the Synod tonight: doing nothing is rarely the answer to anything. Do nothing and a garden quickly becomes a wilderness.

Chernobyl Children Life Line - Jersey Link

Formed to help children suffering from the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster

Earlier this year the Russian teacher responsible for organising the visit of the Children from Chernobyl came to see me to explain the purpose of the visit, and more importantly to explain the need for the visit. She also described the outcome of the visit, which was so good. Here is an opportunity for the people of Jersey to make a real contribution to the welfare of these children, and to open up the possibility of long and fruitful relationship with the children. I really do commend this scheme to readers and hope that they will contact the CCLL committee.

—John Seaford

 

HAVE you ever considered taking a young foreigner into your home? Perhaps, like many local families, you "host" some of the many language students who visit Jersey and also welcome the payment to do so, whilst thinking of the possible cultural rub-off for your own children. No doubt beneficial to all concerned.

But what about a very different type of child to stay? One whose family won't be able to offer you any payment. One who has never experienced the material benefits, let alone the huge variety of good foods, available so easily to us. A child who may arrive at your home with only one change of clothing to last through a stay of four weeks. A child who may have little experience of sitting down to eat at a table "en famille," a child who has seen so little fresh fruit in his life he is unable to contain himself at the sight of a full fruit bowl. (This child also thinks a Mars bar a gift from heaven!)

Surprisingly, there may already be a basic grasp of English for you to communicate with, as these children are not ill educated, but you and your family may discover previously unknown abilities to mime and sketch your way through life.

The children I am talking about are from Belarus. Let me first tell you a little about the situation, and then my own family's involvement, and finally suggest ways in which you can help.

Chernobyl Children Lifeline was founded to help the children of Belarus where 70 per cent of the fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 fell. Eleven years on the situation is just as bad with an increase in all sorts of cancers and leukaemia being recorded. The charity, which is registered, is entirely voluntary and there are no overheads, no salaries. All donations go straight to the charity. Some 60 "Links" have been formed, with the reformed Jersey link being one of the most recent. Locally, we have our own committee with the aim of increasing funds and recruiting host families and "friends" in order to bring children to Jersey for at least a month. It is amazing to learn that such a short time in our clean air with good food and a chance to temporarily forget their problems can do so much good!

It is unlikely that any of the children who visit will have serious health problems, but many do have a very weak immune system and may suffer from frequent colds, the type of thing that our own children shrug off in a few days. The children also suffer from a great deal of stress, many of them having lost close relatives to radiation sickness and related illnesses, and living under a black cloud of depression wondering when it is going to be their turn. By the time they go home the children have gained weight, look and feel healthier and the deep spring of happiness that is every child's right has been allowed to bubble to the surface.

The aim is to bring two groups of ten children to Jersey each year, probably in late spring and late summer. They travel with an English-speaking adult who is always available to help sort out any problems.

Whilst in Jersey the group try to meet up twice a week and visit the beach and various places — many local attractions have been very generous in allowing the visitors free entry. It is not always necessary for the hosts to come along on these visits, in fact it is hoped that each host family would be linked with someone who, though not able to have a child to stay, would be prepared to give or their time as back-up drivers and be an extra 'Aunt' or 'Uncle' to the whole family and take part in some of the outings. (Perhaps this could be taken up by some active retired folk?)

It is also possible for individual children to attend school occasionally with their host family's children, subject of course to per-mission from the Head Teacher. Arrangements are made for the children to be seen by dentists and opticians who kindly give their services free of charge and they receive any necessary treatment before returning home.

Not necessarily 'angels'

The Belarussians are very kind people and this reflects in their children. They are delighted to become part of your family and are usually very well behaved - though having said that they, as all children, have likes and dislikes and their own well formed characters and it's worth remembering that if God had wanted them to be angels He would have given them wings!

Many families invite the children back at their own expense, but even if that is not a possibility, it is hoped that once a link has been established the relationship will be continued with letters and gifts. A family can ask for a girl or boy, aged from 8-13, to fit in with their own family situation. To those who have the room, it might be worth considering taking two children, as they can amuse themselves together, making it easier on the host mother, though this might just give rise to a "them and us" situation with your own children. It is certainly a decision that your own children must be involved in and whilst wanting to be giving your guest(s) the best of times, it is equally important for your own children not to feel less important to you.

I had never heard of Chernobyl Children Life Line, though was aware of the environmental disaster in the Ukraine and surrounding countries. About two weeks before the most recent group visited I happened to hear a little of a local radio interview, whilst driving my youngest to nursery, and I was stunned to hear the statement "one month in Jersey can increase their life expectancy by two years." I continued to listen and learnt that ten children from Belarus were coming to Jersey for a month, arriving in 14 days time and that two more host families were desperately needed. I kept putting off the moment to phone for more details, hoping that if I left it long enough the problem would be resolved. Well, I eventually made the call and received the information pack.

My first line of defence, my husband, was amazingly agreeable about the idea, not even resisting my suggestions as to how the spare room furniture should be moved. My boss was happy to be flexible about the already very flexible hours I work for him. The last line of defence, my own children, thought it a wonderful thing to do!

`Compelled'

There seemed to be no reason not to answer this very compelling cry for help. It was only the day before they arrived* that we learnt our guest was to be a 13-year-old boy -panic - I don't know anything about boys (I have daughters) and as far as I knew from my nephews, they were a completely different species! I needn't have worried though, from the moment we walked down to the beach on his first evening here, it was plain that his joy at seeing the sea for the first time and his easy manner with my own children, meant an exciting few weeks lay ahead of us.

There were many opportunities for the host families and their guests to get together and the chance to air and share problems -there were a few, but nothing a few words with Elena, the interpreter, couldn't solve. As a result, we have made many new friends. We were thrilled that so many people turned up on our doorsteps with wonderful clothing and shoes for the children, they all returned home with bulging holdalls, stuffed full to the limit of their luggage.

[*This last minute planning was a one off, future host families will have all the information they need in good time.]

At the end of their stay we had a big party. The children, before collapsing in giggles, tried to entertain us with songs. They gave us cards and flowers, hugs and kisses, but it was Elena who summed it up: "We are all God's children, even though we live such different lives and cannot speak very easily to each other. As His children, we have a responsibility to try and look after each other in any way we can and we cannot thank you all enough . . ." (There were a few tears at this point.) She was sure that the children would remember their stay in Jersey for the rest of their lives and with continued contact with us, they would have renewed hope for their futures.

When the time came for them to return it was clear that they had thoroughly enjoyed their stay but were ready to return home with their souvenirs, new clothes and exciting tales to share.

Some of us expressed doubts about the wisdom of exposing these children to the excesses of Jersey and then sending them back to their hard lives, but we were reassured that home, however bad the situation, is what they know and love best. Indeed one often hears about children in our own affluent society who, though treated dreadfully by their parents, choose to stay. It is, after all, the only home and family they have.

So, here we are, one month on from our tearful goodbyes and wondering if our lives will ever be the same! As the mother of girls, I had pushed to the back of my mind the idea of having a boy in the family. Little did I know what plans had been made for me!

How can YOU help?

By becoming a Host Family — this involves caring for one or two extra children, making them part of your family for one month, feeding them well and attending some of the events organised for them. The charity funds their travel costs to and from Jersey, but everything else is up to you.

By becoming a Part-time Host — perhaps you are unable to have children to stay but have a large enclosed garden that could be used occasionally for the group to meet in - even better if you have a swimming pool! (Swimming was the most popular activity of all!)

By becoming a Helper — you would be linked with a Host Family, hopefully in your neighbourhood, and offer them your support with some of the extra activities. Retired, though young at heart, and a driver, would be ideal.

By joining our Link — Family membership costs £5.00 per year and you will be sent regular information of future events and projected visits.

By using our Co-Op number - 300891 — any profits go towards the children's travel costs.

By making a donation — at present it costs approximately £400 to bring each child to Jersey. Any amount, large or small, will be gratefully received.

By giving us your old, but serviceable, large holdalls and suitcases — the children come over with pitifully small amounts of clothing; it is wonderful to send them home with extra.

If you would like to find out more, or send a donation, please contact one of the local CCLL committee members:

Mrs Gill Marquer
Ms E Lakeman
Mrs Kerry Fox