Chernobyl girl follows mother on Kerry trip

A nine-year-old Belarussian girl has become the second generation of her family to be hosted in Kerry as a relief from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which took place 28 years ago.

Twenty years ago Natillia Moza, who is now married and working as an accountant, was hosted by a Killarney family.

This week her daughter, Alina Moza, arrived in Co Kerry to stay with Tralee woman Bridie Courtney.

Now 31, Natillia has never forgotten her stay in Killarney with Chernobyl Children’s Fund volunteer Joan Buckley.

She is now married to a teacher.

Her former hostess Joan Buckley is to meet up with their daughter Alina.

The nuclear fall-out is still in Chernobyl 28 years after the accident, and the month which this second generation of children will spend in the radiation free environment of Co Kerry is vital to their immune system, as it increases their life expectancy.

Dozens of children are hosted in Killarney and Tralee each year and the volunteers with the Chernobyl Children’s Fund rely on fundraising.

“It is vital they get the chance to come here as it does so much for their health.

“The change in their health over the month can be significant as they are often chesty when they arrive, but they go home with much clearer lungs,” Ms Courtney explained.

During their month long stay, the children being homed in Tralee will be taken to Banna beach for daily walks.