The Chernobyl meltdown was the biggest nuclear catastrophe in world history. 99 per cent of the Belarusian land has been contaminated to varying degrees above internationally accepted levels as a direct result of the disaster.
The people of Belarus are very self sufficient, they grow their own crops and vegetables, farm livestock and source water from nearby lakes and reservoirs. With 70% of contamination coming from food and water however, the poisoned earth continues to infect those that depend on it.
85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry “genetic markers” that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation.
The Chernobyl children’s lifeline was founded to help affected children receive the recuperation they so vitally need. The charity carried out scientific research to determine whether a clean environment would benefit those affected. From 4000 children that were examined the results determined that the radioactive elements in a child before and after a 4 week visit to the U.K dropped by an average of 68 per cent.
This year 8 children were brought to the pristine county of Pembrokeshire in West Wales, U.K. the region is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty. The environment boasts clean air quality, blue flag beaches and spectacularly dense woodland and breath taking countryside views.
The children participate in a number of activities and outings during their stay, from long sunny days at the beach to indoor karting. They also receive free medical check ups including eye tests and dental appointments to ensure a clean bill of health. The aim of the charity is to make the experience as enjoyable as possible while the clean air and unpolluted land takes its natural course of healing the wounds.
About the author:
Mark Griffiths is a photographer based in South Wales, U.K. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in photojournalism from the university of Wales. His work has been widely featured throughout the world and exhibited across the country.
Sabina Filanovich and Anhelina Balbutskaya feel the texture of seaweed for the first time. Living in a landlocked country (Belarus) this is their first experience of the sea and the beach. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Photo: Mark Griffiths
Sabina Filanovich looks out to see at the beach in Fishguard Harbour. This is the first time the children would have experienced the ocean. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Natalia Varauka gazes out of the window of the Haverfordwest Firestation. The children are taking on several activities during their stay both educational and recreational. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Andrei Zharnasek poses for a portrait at the West Wales Karting Center. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Sabina Filanovich lies exhasted on a bench at Manor House Park, Pembrokeshire, U.K. She was later taken to hospital after complaing of pains in her stomach and was diagnosed with a urine infection. Chernobyl children have weak immune systems and are prone to illness and infection. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Sabina Filanovich draws a picture of her newly adopted home. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Natalia Varauka laughs in the long grass at the Narbeth Forest School after playing a game of twister. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Yahor Khomchanka describes his experiences of the forests around Narbeth, West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
The sun glitters high through the branches of the Narbeth forest school. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Natalia Varauka eats grapes and watches the camp fire at the Narbeth Forest School in Pembrokeshire, U.K. The children’s favourite food is fruit and vegetables. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Artur Dubanevick sits on his trike at the Manor House Park gardens. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Yury Dubinchyk and Artur Dubanevick wrestle on the beach at Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Artur Dubanevick sits on a rock at the St Davids visitor center. The children often suffer from a weak immune system and are prone to illness and infection. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
An unkown child draws a picture depicting their experiences of the sea and beach for the first time. The children live in landlocked Belarus and have never experienced the ocean before. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Sabina Filanovich runs in the shallows at Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire, West Wales, U.K. It is the first time she has experienced the ocean. Sabina lives in a village close to the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power point in the landlocked country of Belarus. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Palina Shyltsava eats an ice lolly after a full day of forest activities including marshmallow roasting and hide and seek at the Narbeth forest school farm. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Andrei Zharnasek describes the daily events and in paricular his experience of the British seaside. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Andrei stands on the beach at Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Sabina Filanovich is captured unaware as she looks at the ground near the Fishguard harbour, West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Sabina and Anhelina play at the park near the Fishguard harbour in West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Palina Shyltsava, Gill and Yahor play Swingball at the Manor house Park near Tenby in West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
After a day of Crab fishing near St Davids, West Wales, U.K Andrei Zharnasek soaks up the summer sun. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
The Children stroke a small goat at the Manor House Park in West Wales, U.K. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Artur stands at the Castell Henllys (Henllys Castle) medieval village with his face painted in tribal war paint. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
Artur receives an examination at the opticians in Fishguard, West Wales, U.K. The children receive free medical examinations during their stay including eye tests, dental check ups and full medicals to ensure they are in a safe bill of health. The children will spend up to a month with host families around the Pembrokeshire area of the U.K. An astonishing 85 per cent of Belarusian children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry Ògenetic markersÓ that could affect their health at any time and can be passed on to the next generation. A vicious cycle that unfortunately could continue for hundreds if not thousands of years. From the series ‘The Healing Land’
