Anton Honchanka, now 38, has said he remains “forever grateful” to a Welsh family who hosted him during a month-long stay in Wales in 1999 through the Chernobyl Lifeline program. He was 11 when he travelled from Gomel, Belarus, to the UK for a recuperative break after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, and said the experience became one of the most memorable periods of his childhood.
His trip took place in a UK that was experiencing a historic total solar eclipse, a major political reshuffle under Prime Minister Tony Blair and a music chart dominated by singles such as Livin' La Vida Loca. Anton was among children evacuated from Belarus after the nuclear accident in neighbouring Ukraine, when a reactor exploded and released radioactive material that spread across swathes of Europe.
Due to radiation, parents in Eastern Europe saw the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline program (CCPL) as vital for their children's health, with over 56,000, external coming to the UK for medical aid and humanitarian support. Thirteen years on from the incident and with radiation still hanging in the air, Anton set off on what he saw as a “new adventure” thanks to the program, although it was “not easy” for his mum to see him leave.
What did Anton remember about leaving Belarus?
Anton said his mother supported the trip but found it difficult to have him away from home. The journey began with a bus ride to Minsk, the Belarusian capital, before he flew to the UK.
“My mum was really happy that I had the opportunity to go on the trip,” said Anton, now 38.
“But it wasn't easy for her not having me at home.”
He said his first clear memory on arrival in the UK was meeting his first host family, which marked the start of his experience in Wales.
“That's where my experience in Wales really began,” he said.
“My first impression was how peaceful and welcoming everything felt. It had such a cosy atmosphere that I felt comfortable almost straight away.”
Anton also said the architecture was “different” from what he knew in Belarus, and that the streets were clean and the atmosphere was “warm and cosy”. His trip came at a time when Belarusian people were living in an increasingly authoritarian state, external, according to the UN Refugee Agency, in a period marked by severe political crackdowns and economic stagnation.
Who hosted Anton in Wales?
Anton and another boy called Dmitry spent their first two weeks with Angela Davies and her sons. Despite the language barrier, he said they understood each other “perfectly”. They were then taken to Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to live with Peter and Linda Amoss.
The Amoss family welcomed the boys into their home with “incredible warmth”, Anton said, and found ways to “spoil” and “surprise” them.
“They often took us shopping because they wanted to treat us,” he said.
“They were always thinking about how they could make us smile.”
He said he quickly became close friends with their children Gethin and Charlotte, and spent his time playing outside, riding bikes and enjoying their time together.
“Those are memories I'll always treasure,” he added.
How did the trip affect Anton’s life after he returned home?
Anton visited landmarks such as St Fagans National Museum of History during his stay in Wales. When he returned home, he said it felt like going “back to normal life” and he was surprised that “nothing had really changed”.
He and Dmitry gradually lost touch because they lived in different cities. Anton said that when they arrived in Minsk, he got on a bus to Gomel while Dmitry did not.
“When we arrived in Minsk, I got on a bus to Gomel, and he wasn't on it,” he added.
Now with two sons of his own, Honchanka said Wales and its people have “stayed in my heart forever”. He said he would like to see his host families again if he has the chance.
“I would really love to see my host families again if I have the opportunity.”
“During that time, they became very close and dear to me.”
Anton said they became his 'second family' during his time in Wales
Why was the Chernobyl Lifeline programme needed?
This year marked 40 years since the Chernobyl nuclear accident, which caused a reactor to start spewing out radioactive material that would spread across swathes of Europe. Children from Belarus and Ukraine stayed with host families for four-week recuperative breaks, and the clean air, untainted food and clean water helped lower the levels of caesium and other radiation stored in the children's bodies.
Gerrie Bayley, 74, from Prestatyn, first joined the CPPL in 2004 by taking in two girls from Belarus. She said the experience meant so much to her that it has since “become her life”, and she now serves as chair of the charity's north Wales branch.
Gerrie said the few weeks in the UK made a remarkable difference to the children's health.
“They would sleep all the time. They had these big black circles under their eyes.
“By the end of the month, they had energy and were eating well. I cannot say how much difference it made.”
Local communities supported the programme by donating second-hand clothing, free dentist appointments and eye tests for the children.
“They all had treatment they needed. So many stores helped out.” she said.
What did the host families remember about the visits?
Linda Amoss, 71, said the family were vetted to make sure they had a spare bedroom with enough capacity to house Anton and Dmitry.
“As far as they were concerned we were a second family.
“They had already been in the country for a couple of weeks and we were the second family for the latter two weeks of their stay.”
Linda said she was told that any time spent outside Belarus would “benefit their health”. She added that there were children with incredibly high rates of cancer in certain areas.
“There were children with incredibly high rates of cancer in certain areas,” she added.
Like Anton, she said the language barrier was something they had to overcome, but it ultimately caused no real issue because the boys “just clicked in”.
“Food was sometimes a bit of an issue, but my cooking isn't the best anyway,” she added.
Anton joined the family on trips to local landmarks such as St Fagan's, Oakwood Theme Park and Garth Hill. Linda said she did not remember the boys being particularly homesick because everything was so new and bright for them.
“I don't remember them being particularly homesick because everything was sort of just so new and bright for them,” said Linda.
Will Anton and his hosts meet again?
As the four weeks drew to a close, Linda said she understood the chance of the boys returning to the UK was “very slim” because of demand for places in Ukraine and Belarus. Until now, she had not heard from Anton or Dmitry, but said it would be “extremely brilliant” if they could meet in person again.
She also said she took great pride in Wales' role in the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline programme.
“Wales is incredibly hospitable, and I really do love that about our country,” she added.
Anton has since had two sons of his own called Dmitry and Demyan, and he said he would welcome the opportunity to reconnect with the family who hosted him in 1999.
Key Facts
- Anton Honchanka spent a month in Wales in 1999 through the Chernobyl Lifeline program.
- He was 11 when he travelled from Gomel, Belarus, after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
- He stayed first with Angela Davies and her sons, then with Peter and Linda Amoss in Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
- More than 56,000 children have come to the UK for medical aid and humanitarian support through the programme.
- Linda Amoss and Gerrie Bayley both described the lasting impact of the visits on the children and host families.
