Chernobyl Children Appeal Project

Yulia at home in Lurgan with Margaret and Siobhan during 2006.

In September 2005 the charity Chernobyl Children Appeal brought five Belarusian girls to Ireland to undertake a one-year course of study in Omagh College.

The girls are (from left) Marina Parfyonova, Greta Budarkova (interpreter), Olga Zemusko, Yulia Yarmolchik, Luda Savich and Galya Bekyer. This photo was taken at Marina's 18th birthday party in An Creggan Visitors' Centre.

The girls are studying Child Care, hygiene, computer and English. The girls lodge at An Creggan between Omagh and Cookstown during the week and, at weekends and holiday periods, stay with their host families. Yulia came to stay with our family in 2002 as part of the C.C.A. Summer Respite Holiday Programme and when the educational project was mooted we nominated her as a suitable candidate.