Every visit has its successes though on this occasion so much was achieved.

Wanting to advance the promotion of World Peace Day useful discussions were held with the Director and Deputy Director of the Ecological Centre and the Professor of Zoology at the university. Much follow up will be needed in Northern Ireland but the foundation stones were laid for yet another exciting project. Whilst at the Ecological Centre I met with some of the German delegation who also were advancing the relationships between countries. Last year Mozyr celebrated World Peace Day with an open-air display of art and street painting. This year's projects may touch 10,000 children and adults in Mozyr and will be on the subjects of our waterways, clean water and global issues.

Visits to the Diagnostics School continue to amaze me as the teachers achieve so much with their pupils. The school now services the needs of over 2000 children and in the hands of their dedicated director Ludmila and the caring staff their future looks bright. Ludmila's children also always submit entries for our competitions.

No visit would ever be complete without being with Anna and her staff at the School for Art and Music. Our focus on this occasion was a further art competition on the subject "Moy Dom - My Home - A Culture of Peace" The artwork of children  throughout this area is awesome and must measure with the best globally. On this occasion the standards were as high as ever with over 400 entries being received. The winning entries will be used as presentations from A Ray of Hope to companies and also by the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

It transpired that the teacher who has had the greatest impact on the competitions and for World Peace Day was unaware of how influential her children's work was outside Belarus. Marina is an acclaimed artist herself. That now has been rectified to Marina's unassuming satisfaction. I have been friends with Marina's husband, Alexander, for many years and find that his paintings of epic proportions are just simply incredible. It was therefore a great pleasure for me to spend the afternoon "Christening" his new outstanding piece of art. These photographs were taken from the walls of his apartment that afternoon. Album of Alexander's work.

As the Prypiat River flows through Mozyr so also does the friendship and hospitality my friends display. I must thank them sincerely for everything they do for me and their support for our joint programmes.