Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI) is the organization featured in the Academy Award winning documentary film, Chernobyl Heart. The film originally aired on HBO, and has since been syndicated to a number of television stations.
For video updates on what has happened since Chernobyl Heart, visit the Chernobyl Children's Project International Channel on YouTube. You will recognize a lot of the faces from Chernobyl Heart.
Director Maryann De Leo was inspired to make the film after seeing our photo exhibition at the United Nations in New York City on the 18th anniversary of the disaster. Maryann got together with Adi Roche, founder of CCPI, and the two of them developed the film. Adi (who is prominently featured in the film) and others from CCPI gave Maryann a guided tour of the Chernobyl Zone, and showed her in person the truth about the ongoing effects of the disaster. Unlike many Chernobyl documenters who report on commercial or government-sponsored tours, Maryann bravely allowed us to take her areas of Belarus and Ukraine that few humanitarian groups and virtually no tourists have ever seen. We would also like to thank HBO producer Sheila Nevins for being willing to take on a controversial subject that subjected HBO to an onslaught of interest group objections.
The film makes the situation seem so hopeless ... is there anything can be done to help?
We agree, the film certainly does paint a bleak picture. The film director captured many hours, days and weeks of footage, and in the end picked some of the most devastating images -- while many even more devastating images as well as message of hope were left on the cutting room floor. These were likely commercial decisions, and yet there are many reasons to hope for a good future for the people of Belarus and Ukraine. If you click on the "how we help" menu item to the left of this page, you will see some of those reasons for hope.
What happened to the roughly handled child?
Near the beginning of the film, a small child is seen handled roughly, while CCPI's Adi Roche pleads with the nurse to be gentle. The child died shortly after filming. It is unlikely that we -- or anyone -- could have saved his life but we can hold him out as an example for the need proper medical and nursing care. Click on the "how we help" menu to the left to learn more.
What happened to the boy with the terrible skin condition on his hands and feet?
His name is Sasha Nesterenko, and he was age 13 when filmed (although he looks much younger). Sasha suffered terribly from a weak immune system and malnutrition which left him susceptible to his scabies. We were able to transport him to Ireland and save his life, but since Belarus does not allow adoptions or foreign fostering situations, we had to send him back to Vesnova Asylum in Belarus. He has made a number of trips to Ireland since. His situation is improved, but he and a number of kids are still susceptible to scabies and need constant medical attention. A number of our medical and therapeutic volunteers have contracted and brought home to their families "the gift of scabies." This is another humbling reminder that conditions that are merely annoying to many of us can be life-threatening when proper medical care is simply not available. With your support, since Chernobyl Heart was first aired, we've been able to hire and train a number of nurses and care givers for Vesnova, was well as dramatically improved the physical building. This alone has led to better hygiene and personal care for the children, and has minimized scabies. In addition to managing this local staff, we now send monthly volunteer medical teams to supervise the care of the children.
What happened to the "Chernobyl Heart girl?"
One of the most memorable scenes from Chernobyl Heart comes near the end, when Tatayana's parents weep with gratitude that their daughter's life was saved. Tatayana continues to live a normal, healthy life. She spends summers with a host family in Ireland. She has a slight scoliosis of the spine which is corrected by a brace and does not detract from her enjoyment of life. You can click here to see photos of some of the children who have received cardiac surgery. Or, click here to see how some people are raising funds to help.
What happened to Dr. Novick, the heart surgeon?
Dr. Novick serves on the CCPI board of directors. An outpouring of financial support after the film has allowed us to send Dr. Novick and a volunteer surgical team from the United States to Belarus and Ukraine on regular cardiac surgery and training missions. Hundreds of young lives have been saved through this program, and the waiting list of 7000 children waiting for surgery in Belarus has been reduced to less than 2400. Today in Belarus, we need only help with the most complicated cases, but Ukraine still faces the challenge of improving cardiac surgeries for its chidlren. In 2010, we hope to raise enough funds to send the volunteer team on two trips to Belarus, and six to Ukraine. You can learn more about the heart surgery program by clicking on the "how we help" link to the left of this screen. To make contribution, click on "donate now" on the right side of the screen. Click here to read some real stories about how people are raising funds to support CCPI's cardiac surgery program.
What happened to the boy who asked for the TV?
His name is Sasha Levkin and you can catch up with him by checking the "meet sasha levkin" entry dated October 08, 2007. And, yes, thanks to our volunteers, he does have a TV. And a CD player, many musical and educational CDs!
What happened to the boy who says he'd like to be a doctor, so he can help kids?
Without use of his arms and legs, and virtually no education, Sasha will not become a doctor. He has been able to make two trips to visit a host family in Ireland, and he has thoroughly enjoyed that. One of those trips was funded by an Irish volunteer who shaved her head (no kidding) to pay for his trip and buy him a custom wheel chair. A teenager now, we observed him to be a bit depressed after his overseas visits ... he is reaching the age where he understands the difficulty of his situation. (Belarus does not allow foreign adoptions, and as a handicapped person he is a ward of the state.)
UPDATE: April 2009: We are happy to announce that there has been a dramatic change in the lives of the "two Sashas." They are now 19 years old. It was hard for us to imagine these two bright young men being sent to the adult asylum. We promised to build them an accessible home of their own on the grounds of Vesnova. That promise has become a reality: click here to read more. Now the boys live in their own apartments along with 8 other mentally and physically disabled young men from Vesnova. Each of the them will receive skills training both at home and at from the community center we are building in nearby Glutsk. When the boys heard about our plans, they both wept. To see a film of Sasha getting the news that he will soon have a home of his own, click here. Click here to see a moving video of Sasha Levkin making a presentation to volunteers just before moving in to his new home.
What is being done to help?
You can link to the "how we help" item on the left side of the screen to learn how we are using the donations of supporters to help kids and communities affected by Chernobyl.
If you are able to do so, your financial contribution will be well and responsibly spent. You can click on the "donate now" button to the right of this screen.
If you are a doctor, nurse, or therapeutic professional and would like to donate your time and skills, email us.
If you have an idea for a fund raiser -- large or small -- email us, or just do it.
White Horse
In 2008, Chernobyl Heart director Maryann De Leo collaborated with painter Christophe Bisson on the film, White Horse, the story of a young man's return to the home from which he was evacuated after Chernobyl. Learn more: White Horse
