American Belarussian Relief Organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Belarussian Relief Organization (ABRO) is an American non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children located in areas of Belarus affected by the Chernobyl disaster of April 26, 1986. The main focus of ABRO is to provide children with time away from the contaminated areas of Belarus.
The organization’s American headquarters is located in Zebulon, NC.
Contents |
[edit] Summer Program
The summer program is the heart of the ABRO mission. Every year, ABRO leaders in Belarus and various American states work together to orchestrate a six week summer trip to America. Groups of children ranging in age from about 7 to 16 years old travel to various parts of America along with an interpreter. These children are from very needy locations in Belarus, and many will come with just the clothes on their back. The time spent in the United States lowers the level of radiation in their bodies and helps to restore their immune system.
[edit] Costs
The American families and/or the local church is required to raise the money to actually bring the child they desire to America. As of 2006, this amount was around $1,500. The participating families raise the money by many means. Typically this comes from family members, their workplace, church support, etc. Sponsors of the program are usually excited about supporting a child, because they get to see firsthand where their money went when they can see/interact with the child when they are in America.
[edit] Who Participates?
The families who take in the children are typically members of a local church that participates in the program. The churches involved can be of several denominations, although Southern Baptist is most prevalent. Families may request to host the same child in subsequent years. As a result, the children and their American host families enjoy a close bond in which the children feel like they are part of a second family. The visiting groups may participate in social activities and recreational trips to see and learn more about America. Host families are able to support their sponsored children financially and communicate with them through ABRO once they return to Belarus. Although many children know very little English when they first travel to the U.S., they can become quite fluent after visiting for a few years.
[edit] While In America
While in the U.S., the children receive medical attention that is often donated free of charge by medical professionals in the community. Dental work is typically the most in-demand, as the children come with many cavities. On a first trip to America, they may need to make several trips to the dentist to get caught up on their fillings. The children also attend different social events planned by the group's coordinator. Many host families try to plan their family vacation around the time their child is here.
[edit] Summer Camp in Belarus
ABRO also offers a summer camp program in the uncontaminated areas of Belarus to provide relief from radiation.
[edit] Christmas Program
Every winter near Christmas time, ABRO organizes a group trip from the United States to Belarus. The group is able to see Belarus first hand and learn more about what it’s like to live in Belarus. Americans who participated in the summer program may have the chance to visit the homes of the children they sponsored.
[edit] History
Belarus absorbed about 70% of the radiation released by the Chernobyl nuclear reactor when it exploded in 1986, leading to mass evacuations and serious health consequences for those in the contaminated areas. The radiation leads to a higher occurrence of cancer, birth defects, and a weakened immune system.
ABRO began taking shape in 1991, when families at Connecticut River Valley Fellowship Church in South Windsor, Connecticut took in the first group of 13 children and two adult chaperons for a six week period in the summer. Those involved in the outreach traveled to the Mogilev area of Belarus in 1993 and met with Belarussian community leaders to discuss their concerns. ABRO was created as a partnership between the American and Belarussian leaders in order to give a brighter hope to Belarus’ children.
From 1991 to 2004, 3100 children have journeyed to the United States and another 400 have attended summer camps in uncontaminated regions of Belarus. In 2004, 37 groups totaling 540 children came to America along with their interpreters.
