A COUNTRY RICH IN THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE OF FRIENDSHIP - BELARUS

The award of UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace to A Ray of Hope, by the Director General, Dr. Mayor, set in action a chain of events which was to dramatically affect those it touched. No one could have foreseen how focused people would have become on the plight of children around the world who need so much. Dr. Mayor, with his award, threw down the gauntlet to A Ray of Hope. The gauntlet was lifted and the challenge of raising $150,000 turned into the realisation of $3.7 million worth of educational supplies which have been distributed to 425 schools in 25 countries.

It was in a climate of concern and wondering who to assist next that we received a letter from a teacher in Mozyr. She wished to make contact with anyone and had sent many similar letters in the years before. She only demanded friendship but none of her letters had been responded to. 18 months on , 50 letters of correspondence changing hands and $100,000 worth of supplies distributed to several areas of Belarus was the product of Svetlana Varankina's one letter.

It is with many fond memories that I take pleasure in now relating my memories following a visit to Belarus.

I was given the honour and privilege of being invited to Belarus from 25th October to 1st November, 1998. This was my first time in this wonderful country and it certainly will not be my last. I had no preconceived ideas, or thoughts of what I might experience or achieve, only a desire to meet those with whom I had corresponded or had learned about. Within a very short time I realised that I was with a nation of warm and caring people who were offering me a friendship which I had not experienced anywhere else to the same degree.

My father would tell me as a child that a person is lucky to have a few good friends, however, he had not witnessed the love emanating from the people of Belarus. I had always believed that the people of Northern Ireland knew how to extend the hand of friendship but we could learn from the masters of this craft.

I did realise that to have an appropriate standard of living the people must work so hard and for that I must give them my total respect and I do also appreciate the sufferings that are in existence for whatever reason. These are not the thoughts that remain within me.

Those who guided, protected and nurtured me throughout my visit made me feel special and a member of a family. I even had the sin thrust upon me of feeling important when I truly realise that we are all equal with different positions and responsibilities in this life only.

From school to art gallery, dance class to music concerts, dining in style to intimate picnics in the woods, Swan Lake to Byelorussian Dance - all painted in me a montage of Belarus which swept over me and enveloped my being. I did visit a desolate village near the "danger zone" and, although my emotions were with those who dwelled within the zone, my only lingering on this was to know that for the rest of my days I would give myself to all who need help.

During a conversation class in School 7, Mozyr, I was asked by a child what religion I was and at that precise second I knew that I must have none - or maybe all - rolled into a spirit that would shape my destiny and those with whom I would come in contact.

Now as I look back and touch my many gifts I sometimes look to the sun and know that it passed over Belarus before coming above me. Also aware that the same rays that warm my face are those that add sparkle to the eyes of my friends in Belarus. If I had one memory it would be of the vibrancy of the children with their eyes portraying their innermost souls but I have many thoughts and memories to clutch on to.

I get great satisfaction in touching objects as I somehow try to capture the feeling within and as I type I look at the leaf on my desk which came from the village near Chernobyl. Many laughing moments to remember, also including some surprises, but I needed them all to see the country I hold dear. I want to return and I want to help. I will return and I will help. It is the one small thing that I can do to repay those who showered on me the love of human kindness.

I would like to use this small space to thank those who by allowing me into their company enriched my life and to all who have supported A Ray of Hope and directly afforded me the reason for my original visit.

Don.