Excitement builds as 31 children from Belarus arrive at Dublin airport today

Adi Roche and her charity Chernobyl Children International have been bringing children to Ireland at Christmas for nearly 30 years, and today, Dublin Airport will welcome this year's visiting group. The 31 children, many of whom are orphaned and have special needs, are given respite with Irish families, away from their orphanage in Belarus. Some have been abandoned by their parents who were unable to cope with their illnesses and disabilities. The Chernobyl Children International Facebook page is full of exciting updates as the day progresses;

"The excitement is building as our beautiful Chernobyl children will be arriving into Dublin Airport to spend their Christmas holidays in Ireland. They are here for a rest and recuperation holiday and the benefits to their health are amazing. Fresh air, good food and loving families all help to prolong these children's lives."

Founder Adi says that her organisation is working on legislative change in Belarus and truly hopes that orphanages will soon be a thing of the past. She that every child deserves a family, whether that be a foster family or an adoptive one. In Adi's wonderful Christmas message on the Chernobyl International website, she says of the charity's supporters;

"We are magnificent in our efforts, despite economic difficulties; we may be ‘cash poor’ but we are ‘people strong and rich’!"

We couldn't agree more and hope that these vulnerable children really reap the benefits of such charitable Irish families' generosity and kindness of heart this year.