NEWS...(see News Blog on the Homepage)

Kids Aloft 2007

It has been 5 years since SAM brought a group of children from Belarus for a recuperative holiday. This year (June) we have brought two groups plus some adults – each for two weeks.

The first group (12 children and two translators) were hosted by Larkhall Baptist church. The children enjoyed a happy and healthy time visiting a variety of places including: The Falkirk Wheel, Calendar Park , Lazer Quest (Motherwell), and Heads of Ayr. Whilst visiting Ayr they took a walk down to the beach which immediately prompted some of the kids to strip-off to their underwear and plunge in. This was not a prepared for swim, but with Belarus being a landlocked country and most of the children never having seen the sea – it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the sea.

The group loved everything they saw and ate – especially fish and chips and pizza. One of the boys ‘ate for two' all the time. We are particularly grateful to ASDA for their fundraising and providing a mini bus for this group's visit.

The kids returned to Belarus on June 19th, sad to be leaving but returning home with the memories and photographs of the holiday of a lifetime.

The second group consisted of 30 children and translators as well as some adults. The children were spilt into 2 groups, one going to Ayr and the other to New Cumnock. One of the visits the Ayr group had was to Celtic Football Club, who already have been supportive of SAM. They return to Belarus on June 28th.

The adults included Vitalik who has made remarkable progress following 4 operations replacing hip and knee joints (see his story). Also Marina, a lovely lady who suffers from MS who has not been out of her 5 th floor flat for three years, has come with her son Artiom. They have been accommodated at a disabled friendly B&B near Linlithgow with picturesque views of the Firth of Forth. Luda , who is recovering from a very bad car accident at the end of 2006 has also enjoyed the warmth of Scottish friendship that has been liberally expressed to all the Belarusians.

Many people and organisations have expressed great generosity to our Belarusian guests for which we say a big THANK YOU.

THANK YOU

We have been overwhelmed at the giving of individuals, businesses and churches, both in monetary and material terms. We cannot say THANK YOU enough for this valuable giving which allows us to maintain the Hope Centre and the many other projects that come and go. The recipients in Belarus are often moved to tears at the Scottish support - and so are we.

God bless all who support the work of SAM in any way - we need that support as do the people of Belarus.