A beautiful place designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Group Coordinator: Teresa Miller

E-mail     chipping.focc@outlook.com

In September 2005 our village was "invaded" by 14 children from Mogilev Belarus, who came to stay with host families in the village and beyond. For 4 wonderful weeks we heard a strange language but the same joyful sound of children laughing and enjoying themselves. Everyone got stuck in, ladies making lunches, cakes and biscuits, the local churches of St Mary’s R.C., St. Bartholomew’s, the local Congregational church and the church of nearby Knowle Green all worked to raise money and provide facilities to make ready for the children’s visit.

The children all 7 years old were all very needy, some of them through no fault of their own from the most dreadful homes, the Charity has rehoused two of these families. We had children who had seen, heard and been witness to more than most of us would in our lifetimes and it is our privilege to be able to help to make a difference. Wonderful links have been formed with the families of the children here and their own families in Mogilev, love and support has spread from us to them and the tiny village of Chipping is on the lips of the families we support.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME…….OR IS THERE?

The children from both these homes have been rehoused by the Charity and closely supported by their English host families.

In September 2006 they will return to us again along with their teacher and interpreter and once more the village will show what it can do. Whilst the children are here they enjoy the great outdoors by walking and playing in the countryside, learning to swim, visiting zoos and parkland, seeing the sea for the first time in their lives and many other wonderful things.

Yana Yurkova and her family, typical of the families in our care

The interaction between the Belarussian children and our own English children at the local schools of Brabins and St Mary’s and Bleasdale was positive on both sides, they had much to learn from each other and this will be encouraged on successive visits.

HELP US TO HELP THEM

FOCC Chipping is part of the FOCC U.K. group reg. no 1049689 and funds are raised to support both this group and the group based in Blackburn which was the Founder group of all the Charity, the Blackburn group will welcome their 22^nd group of children in June 2006.