Leaves of Hope for Belarussion Children

The Portacabin Project - 2001

Music is an important part of the children's development. It is a simple and painless way for them to express themselves, and for some the only way to communicate.
We have already started to assist the excellent young music teacher in Novinki by providing her with an electric organ and a few xylophones, but she needs more equipment and somewhere to work with the children. There is no available space within the orphanage at present and we need, therefore, to provide her with that space.

A Barry Company by the name of MPS has very generously provided us with a portacabin, which they delivered to Llanrumney High School on 27th June 2001. It is now up to us to adapt and decorate it ready to be transported over in the autumn.

The Llanrumney Youth Inclusion Project, run by Lynda Williams, is hoping to involve some of its youngsters in the Portacabin Project over the summer, with a view to their accompanying us to the orphanage when we make the delivery.
As a children's charity we are always happy to work with groups helping children within our own community and such an opportunity could make a huge difference to the future lives of these youngsters.

Sadly within 2 weeks of taking delivery of the portacabin, vandals attacked. This stupidity has only proved to strengthen our resolve - we will succeed no matter what!

PORTACABIN PROJECT.
UPDATE - 21ST AUGUST 2001.

It came, we saw, we conquered!

Monday 20th August saw some very proud faces at Llanrumney High School as the re-furbished 32ft portacabin was hoisted on to the back of a lorry ready to start it's long journey, by road and sea, to the Novinki Orphanage.

It wasn't very long ago that this tired old shell of a portable building arrived at the High School only to suffer the indignity of being completely vandalised. But the youngsters, who tried to destroy the project before it had even started, hadn't reckoned on the fighting spirit and grim determination of the people of Llanrumney and Cardiff. It seemed that everybody, young and old alike, wanted to pull together to help the children of Novinki.

Businesses donated materials and men to re-build the demolished cabin; local people gave up every hour of their free time; the children of the youth centre began planning colourful murals; pensioners donated aid; and for two weeks everybody was busy, everybody had a smile on their face. We all had a purpose and we were going to succeed.

3rd year Apprentices from CR Electrics completely re-wire the place

The transformation was incredible and far beyond anything I had hoped for. People were now, not only thinking of the new music room for the children, but of how they could help in other ways and when could they come to Belarus to meet the children they were helping.

Euro-Clad Ltd re-build the roof and walls

The excitement just seemed to grow and grow as the planned departure date loomed closer.

Andrew & Heather Mayne and Mark Rankmore worked tirelessly to get the work completed on time.		All hands on deck for sorting and loading aid.

There were times when it seemed that everybody had a paint-brush in their hand

My heartfelt thanks go to the following for their kindness and support throughout this project: Margaret Bamford
Luda Tagay
Trish Tennant
Lynda Williams and the team from Llanrumney Youth Inclusion Project
Volunteers and members of the Llanrumney Youth Club
Andrew & Heather Mayne
Mark Rankmore
Angie Browne of NCH
Melanie Thomas of CYPYT
Mrs Davey, Ashburton Ave
Roto Transport
Euro-Clad Ltd
Connect 2
Jewson's, East Tyndall St
Allied Carpets, Newport Rd
Sheffield Insulation
CR Electrics
Co-op, Crwys Rd
Farm Foods
Howden's, East Moors
Nibblets, Whitchurch Rd
Maindy Pub, North Rd
W D Gardener, Crwys Rd
North Store, North Rd
North Rd Pharmacy
Whitchurch Rd Post Office Barry
Scotts Stationers, Crwys Rd
Mr & Mrs Ron Bebbington.
BRS
Charles Gee Shipping
MPS
The Community of Llanrumney
Staff of Cardiff County Council
My family
Legal & General
Crime Concern
Cardiff Bus
NCH
BCB Cardiff
Rowan Tree Construction
Maindy Primary School

PORTACABIN PROJECT 2001 - NEARS AN END.

8pm on the 24th August 2001 and the portacabin is on a ship bound for Klaipeda, in Lithuania. It is time for us to set off on the 1500 mile, or so, journey to meet it at its final destination of Novinki.

The team are ready for off

Everybody is full of nervous excitement and the atmosphere is electric.
The boys from the Youth Inclusion Project are still full of "bravado and supposed indifference"; I am convinced, purely for the benefit of the audience there to see us off.

The first night is spent on the road to Dover and the ferry crossing. We arrive in France early Saturday morning and begin the long trek through Belgium, Holland and Germany through to our planned first motel in Swieko, just the other side of the German/Polish border.

What I hadn't allowed for was the seemingly incessant loo stops; two minute driver changes taking thirty; 15minute fuel stops turning into an hour; one hour food stops growing into two; and road-works in Germany slowing us down to a crawl.
By the time we were through the border it was about 2.30am and far too late to consider a motel so I proposed making camp in a clearing in the forest that I knew of.

Traffic jam in Germany

"The morning after the night before"

I knew the boys, and quite a few of the staff, were seasoned campers and thought this would not present a problem. Everybody had their "army survival kits" and so were well prepared, I thought. A campfire was built, a cuppa was brewed, but despite the late hour and the planned early start, the boys seemed reluctant to go to bed.

"I'm sleeping in the van!" "And I am!" "Me too!" These tough young Llanrumney boys with more "street cred" than the Godfather were beginning to show their innocence and vulnerability. They were afraid that bears would eat them! We half won the battle with assurances that there were no bears; the wolves would eat them first; or if one was going to be eaten then they all had to be eaten; and all of the adults settled down for a few hours badly needed sleep whilst the youngsters kept a vigilant eye out keeping themselves awake by playing cards.

Warsaw

The arduous drive across Poland ran much smoother. I was much stricter about the time spent on breaks and we made it to the motel at Terespol virtually on schedule. Following a badly needed shower and a hot meal, we spent the rest of the evening chatting about what was to come. I was pleased that it was not only the adults who had questions and delighted that the boys responded to a lot of my answers with more questions - they were listening and they were interested.

EVERYTHING at the border next morning was cleared in less than 2 hours. We were in Belarus and, I was later informed that, everybody was aware of my excitement. We drove through the gates of the Novinki orphanage at 3 o'clock that afternoon and were immediately greeted by Luda. I was home, for the rest a new adventure was just beginning.

Brest

I had decided that a quick tour of the orphanage and then off to the hostel was the best way to "break them all in". Armed with "Vicks Vapour Rub" up their nostrils, we began our tour.

“Watch the birdie”

Most of the children were still in bed when we entered the units, which made it a little easier for the team initially, but as our tour continued we found the children far too excited to stay asleep.

This was going to be the first test. How would they cope with the "surge" of affection? I needn't have worried - young and old alike just scooped the children into their arms and, although a little bemused by it all, simply played along with the children's wishes.

Making new friends

The tour ended and we gathered outside by the vans. It was then that the raw emotions were first displayed. Adults with tears in their eyes were locked in silent thought and unable to comfort the young men who were sobbing uncontrollably.

Reality starts to set in

For me it was a relief, the hours of trying to prepare them and encourage them to cry if they wanted to had paid off. They had learnt that there was no shame in crying, it was a necessary release and indeed as the week went on they were quite happy to come and tell me whenever something had upset them.

That evening we all settled into the, somewhat primitive but adequate, hostel where the team were introduced to their interpreter and tour guide for the next day.

I had felt that whilst sorting out paperwork and last minute preparations with the different authorities, it would be a good opportunity for them all to see Minsk. Luda had worked out the full cultural tour with Olya, the guide, and I was sure they would enjoy this. I was horrified to discover later that the tour didn't get past the market but, as long as they were happy…

Outside the hostel

The portacabin had been stuck in stormy seas at Gdansk so everything was delayed until it arrived. We occupied our time with playing or painting and we threw a disco for the children with the usual supply of poldnik (pop, crisps, biscuits and other tasty goodies). Again the boys showed no trouble playing, dancing and cuddling with the children.

Disco time…

…and the boys have no trouble playing with the children

We were notified that the portacabin would be arriving at the Belarusian border point of Medininkai on Thursday night ready for its police escort through to Minsk first thing Friday morning. This meant that the teams return to Britain would need to be put back a day. A vote was taken and everyone agreed. I was delighted, everything was in order. The team were staying to finish the job, the police escort was paid for, the customs paperwork had been cleared and the portacabin would be arriving at the orphanage early afternoon. Unfortunately the point of entry into Belarus is not one usually used for Humanitarian Aid and the customs officer in charge was thrilled at the thought of wielding his power. Endless phone calls, arguments and faxes ensued until we eventually received clearance in the afternoon. The portacabin was now making the final part of its journey and we could at last be excited.
The further delay had now caused problems for Central Customs as it would arrive outside of working hours and we couldn't empty the aid ready for the final preparations without the next step of clearance. More letters were written and I raced across Minsk to get permission.

The police escort the portacabin to Novinki

Turning into the gates

It’s within the grounds

I missed the arrival of the portacabin at Novinki but received a very excited and emotional message on the mobile phone to say it was here. The team were outside the orphanage grounds cheering it on to its new home and I got back just in time to see it being placed on its hard-standing by the huge crane booked to lift it from the lorry. The customs officer was treated to her "present" and we started to off-load the aid.

The portacabin is lifted from the
back of the lorry

and all the boys help to put it in place.

Luda applauds whilst the
Customs Officer looks on

Saturday morning saw the start to a very long and emotional day. There was a lot to do before the official hand-over ceremony and it was the teams last day.
We had decided to stop on our way to the orphanage at the Convent in Novinki village to light candles for the children. The journey in was full of emotion and not a sound was heard in the mini-bus. Walking solemnly into the tiny church I was aware that there was no embarrassed giggling or usual silliness, everybody seemed keen to be part of our little ceremony. One by one we lit a candle and deep in our own thoughts we just stood. It was a very special moment.

Everybody helps with the preparations

At the orphanage everybody settled into helping. The boys were painting, sawing or keeping the children occupied and out of the way of the frantic adults. It was an amazing sight to see everybody, including the older children of Novinki, pulling together.

David keeps Diana occupied

"Proud to be Welsh"	Lena shows her talent for painting	Lena is amused by the fact that there is more paint on James than on the wall
		The place is a "hive" of industry

Katya helps Peggy with the varnishing	Dima supervises the sawing	whilst James cracks on
	The last sign is hung

At 6.30 we had done it!

The official hand-over had begun, the music teacher had prepared a small concert by some of the children, the speeches were made, champagne bottles opened, certificates of achievement awarded and the children of Novinki were enjoying a disco outside their new music room.

The proud gang have finished their work

There were tears of joy and pride shed by many, not least by me. What a day! But the emotion was not over; the worst was yet to come. The team had to say goodbye. It was very difficult for everybody, the Novinki children were wailing at the loss of their new friends and the team were beside themselves with grief. It was a very quiet hostel that night. Early night and solitude seemed to be the most favoured choice.

The ceremony is underway and Luda translates for everybody

Yulia performs her favourite song

Katya and Vika dance and sing

The next morning everybody was up early and Luda, Neil, Peggy and myself escorted the rest of the team to the Minsk border where we said our good-byes to those who were awake.

It was sad for us waving off the rest of the team, but I knew who was suffering the most at that moment - it was those saying farewell to Minsk!