In the Summer term, Bedales hosted 10 children from deprived areas in Belarus for four days of action-packed fun as part of a four week visit to the UK with the aim of them returning home refreshed, healthier, happier and more hopeful for the future.
The children, aged 9 – 11 years, who had not been taught English, stayed with host families in Petersfield (including Bedales Head of Classics, Alex Walker), as part of an annual initiative by the charity Chernobyl Children’s Life Line.
While at Bedales the visiting children took part in Outdoor Work, making scones and watching sheep spraying and herding, making a cup and ball in Design, painting banners and making papier-mâché penguins in Art, as well as enjoying swimming, tennis, games, making juggling balls and learning to juggle.
The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity supports children whose ill health is directly linked to the Chernobyl nuclear explosion of 1986; Belarus received over 70% of the radio-active fallout which has led to health problems including thyroid and bone cancer and leukaemia in babies and children.