Children from Chernobyl arrive at Shannon Airport to stay with Irish families for a Christmas break.
There is jubilant atmosphere in Shannon Airport as more than one hundred children from the Chernobyl region arrive for a Christmas holiday with Irish families.
Johnny Casey's family will expand to include five more children for the festive season,
It just makes Christmas, it’s what it's all about.
Many children come here for a holiday and stay long term, which has been the case for ten year old Felipe, who has been adopted by the Fitzmaurice family. They hope to adopt eight year old Mikolai next year.
This is the fourteenth year of the project, which has helped thousands of Chernobyl children with severe health problems recuperate and receive medical help here. As Ann Carolyn explains, these visits are also very important for their psychological well-being, because they know that,
There are people there that love them and care for them.
Architect, environmentalist and broadcaster Duncan Stewart recovering from a serious accident while filming in Chernobyl in the autumn is part of the welcoming party.
To be down here today, this is very special.
Director of the Chernobyl Children’s Project Adi Roche says that today is a testament to the generosity of the people of Ireland,
This is the enactment of the true message of Christmas.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 December 2003. The reporter is Cathy Halloran.
