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THE CRAVEN GROUP PROJECT
The Craven group is quite small in number and 3 years ago found it hard to find enough host families. We decided to send the money raised to enable children who were unable to come to the UK for a holiday to have a holiday at a sanatorium in Belarus. This was a great success and letters from the families of the children were very moving and full of appreciation. The children were not tied to a particular time of year to take up the offer and we found that we could in fact help more children as the money went further.
The following year we began funding a very special project. Over 100 children live in Ulookovje Boarding Home, Gomel. They have mild to moderate learning disabilities and, unlike their counterparts in other boarding homes, have a chance to experience life in a foster family. Other boarding homes are closing or have vastly reduced numbers, but not Ulookovje. Until now their numbers have continued to increase, as parents struggle to cope with a child with a learning disability, due to the widespread lack of services and knowledge.
We decided to sponsor a worker to find the birth families for a number of the children and return them home with support where it was safe to do so. For those children who cannot return to their family of origin foster families will be found. Vera Rudenok is our worker and has returned 5 children to their families. She is presently working with 19 more children, helping their parents through the lengthy court process to have their rights returned to them. 2 children have been adopted and 3 have been placed in foster care.
Vera works alongside other staff at Ulookovje to prepare the children to move back with their family and liaise with the authorities to set up a support package. All staff have been trained by CCP trainers.
We raise £4000 per year to employ Vera and this covers her fuel costs and also provides some material support for families at the beginning of the placement, covering clothing and bedding etc.
Vera sends us regular reports and CCP monitors progress 3 or 4 times a year.
Jean Holt, Training Co-ordinator, Chernobyl Children’s Project U.K.
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Contact Name:
Suzzanne Smith
Telephone:
01756 709286
Email:
westsmith@toucansurf.com
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Craven, North Yorkshire News
Evening of Christmas Crafts
‘Flea Market and Cafe’
On the 19th november the Craven group will hold a ‘Flea Market and Cafe’ in Skipton town Hall. Stalls hired out to local traders, and the group will sell bric a brac and books and home made food in the cafe.
Skipton Waterways Festival Success
On 30th April the Craven branch held a fundraising stall at the Skipton Waterways Festival. This is an annual event that celebrates the Leeds Liverpool canal and all things canalish!
We booked a stall, prayed for sun, baked for days and planted anything that grew. Well, the sun did shine – the clouds blown away by the stiff breeze - and we sold over 90% of our goods raising £238. For such a small group this was a good effort.
We found that the plants were an excellent fund raiser for very little outlay. Any plant that can be divided up from your own garden or vegetable are real money spinners and something to be considered for Spring fundraising events.
Event for Anniversary
The Craven group will be marking the 24th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster by having a Champagne and Canapes Evening at Brody’s Bistro on 26th April 5pm until late. There will be a raffle, quiz and other games. A magician will be in attendance and it is hoped to raise at least £1000 for our Ulookovje project.
