FOR 50 children with disabilities living in and around the town of Gomel in Belarus the Mayflower Centre has become their second home.

And it holds a special place in the hearts of their parents, many of whom had never had a day’s rest from caring for their profoundly disabled child.

Work began on the Centre in Autumn 2003 and was completed by early Summer 2004. Since then the Centre has continually hosted groups of six children, with either cerebral palsy, autism or learning difficulties.

Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK) and the Solihull company Elegant Homes Ltd. created a spacious, attractive and well equipped Centre. And Natasha and her staff put in all the finishing touches which have made the Mayflower Centre such a friendly and welcoming environment. It is wonderful to see the gentle and confident attitude of the staff, and the affection they clearly feel for the children in their care

In September 2004 the Mayflower Centre was officially opened by the British Ambassador, Brian Bennett.

The Mayflower Centre is a joint project of CCP(UK) and the Social Protection Department of one of the districts of Gomel. The senior officials were so impressed with what they saw and heard at the Opening, that they are now urging all the other districts of Gomel to seek foreign partners who will  help them create similar centres.

They were perhaps most moved by the speech given by Ludmilla, Head of the Autistic Association, who spoke on behalf of the parents, and summed up just what the Mayflower Centre is all about.

“When my son was born, I had two choices. I could put him into an institution and throw his life away. Or I could keep him with me and throw my life away. I kept him with me, and we lived like twins, always together.

And then when the questionnaire was sent out asking if I would use a Centre like this for Denis, I replied that I might bring him for an hour or two while I went shopping. ‘Would I ever leave him overnight?’ Like all the other mothers in my association, I answered ‘Never! That would be impossible!’

When the Mayflower opened I brought my son to visit and he liked it. We came on a longer visit and he still liked it here. So finally I left him overnight. I sat by the phone till midnight, waiting for the call, but it never came. The next time Denis stayed, I had my hair done and went for a massage.

Every morning when Denis wakes up he asks when he can go the Centre again. He has something to look forward to, and I have a life of my own.”

The centre has six bedrooms, large play rooms, a sensory room, soft play area, dining room and well equipped kitchen.  Generally six children stay at one time, but it could be up to 8 and on occasions may be less where the children have profound difficulties. The children usually stay for five nights, but the Centre can also offer shorter breaks, or longer periods if a parent has to go into hospital.

When they first stay in the centre children can be accompanied by a parent or brother or sister, until they are happy to stay alone. They are looked after by a team of nine carers, plus a psychologist and  a nurse. Natasha’s staff also includes a cook, a secretary/receptionist, a driver, a part time special needs teacher and a consultant doctor who comes twice a week to check on the children’s health.

Most of the children live in the city of Gomel, but some come from Rogachev, Mozyr and other parts of the region. We hope that eventually there will be respite centres in many other parts of the region, and throughout Belarus, so that families will be able to receive local care.

We hope that the support Mayflower can give to families will mean that fewer parents feel under such pressure that they eventually have to give their child to an institution. We are very grateful to everyone  who has been involved in creating this centre which for parents in Gomel really is ‘a dream come true’.

In April 2006 Damian Grammaticas and a BBC crew came to film at the Mayflower for their coverage of the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

Many individuals have already given generous support and we hope that others will join them, helping us to fund the centre for at least the next two years. After this, the Social Protection Department hope to take on more of the costs.

Currently, the salaries, food, running the minibus and purchasing medicines and supplies for the centre and the children, costs us about  £20,000 per year. Not a large sum for such a valuable resource, but nevertheless one we must raise on top of all our other commitments.

LinPac bought us the minibus; Denis Moors, of High Ash Farm, Longnor, near Buxton has sponsored the salary of the nurse through his company, which provides accommodation for school children; Rotary Clubs of Pitlochrie and Aberfeldy and Driffield Friends of Chernobyl Children provided funds for a playground.

CAN YOU HELP?

A donation of £400 from your company, church, Rotary or Lions Club, school or association would provide a year’s support for a Mayflower family.

This would give them a five night stay in the Centre every two to three months.

Or you might like to sponsor the salary of one of the carers. £750 would cover one year.

A personal gift of £60, plus Gift Aid, would provide one five night stay in the Mayflower Centre.

To print out a form which you can complete and send to CCP (UK) click here.

Click to see more photographs

The centre manager Natasha with one of the children