FEBRUARY 2007

A set of photographs from the 2007 February visit can be found on the photos page.

Eight girls and six boys arrived on the 11th February for a month with the group leader Irina Buhor. The majority
were from Osipovichy, a small provincial town  from where we have received children before, and a couple were from
the nearby villages of Karane and Koritnoye . The timetable was very full for the group this year with visits  on 20 of
 the 27 available days leaving very little time for home visits and dental/optical appointments  but by an feat of organisation
they were all fitted in somehow! All the outings were popular so personal highlights for ourselves had to be the Twmpath
held in St Nicholas Village hall where the children were 'guests of honour' of the village hall committee  and threw themselves
into the traditional dances with huge enthusiasm to the accompaniment of music from the Glan Cleddau Welsh Folk Dancing
Group who generously donated their fee for the evening for the children's benefit.

Having been on the scene now since 2003 when our first full group arrived we are receiving considerable good will and
support from the local community in many different ways from donations , gifts directly to the children and a huge variety of
help and support.
The stormy weather brought us spectacular sounds, sights and feelings of huge breaking waves  and the wind whistling past
and also a chance to try our luck at dodging the spray!

            

We were invited for a meal to Temple Druid near Rosebush  which is a large country house owned and operated by the
'Dandelion Trust' for children in need. They themselves had a group of children from Belarus last autumn.

For the first time this year the group had lessons in English language together which were greatly enjoyed.

 
Each visit represents for the children a huge commitment to lay aside natural reserves and fear and immerse themselves in
 another totally different environment, language and culture for a  whole month, which at the age of 8 or 9 stretches a 
 very long way ahead . It has been another hugely rewarding experience for all concerned.