The children arrived on Friday July 5th this year.  When we met them at the airport, they had already been travelling, first by coach from their village near Pinsk in Belarus to Minsk Airport, then by the 3 hour flight into Gatwick.  The journey in our two minibuses was slow.  It was Friday afternoon and the traffic going towards the coast was already very busy.  When we finally reached Broadstone it was 7:00pm.  The host families were there waiting for our arrival and we quickly paired the children with their English mums and dads.

Saturday morning we all met up for the welcome party.  We also provided clothing and each child was given a new rucksack so they they were equipped for their 4 week stay.

Meeting and greeting at the welcome party

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We are very grateful to South Coast Dental and to Scrivens Opticians in Broadstone for their support

We visited the Mayor of Poole where the children learn about our traditions and what the Mayor's role i

Moors Valley is nearby and provides great outdoor entertainment

"Cooking with Tim" takes place at Ferndown Upper School where the youngsters make their own pasta lunch and bake bread for their host families.

Fortunately it was a warm sunny day ...

… where we have a fish & chip lunch provided by Chez Fred after swimming in the sea.

Yellow Boats take us to Brownsea Island which is owned by National Trust.  This year it was hot and sunny so we were able to swim at South Beach

After a picnic lunch at Pottery Pier  the children make mosaics. We reward good deeds and best work with keyrings.

Kimmeridge provides opportunities for fossil hunting and rock-pooling.  They are always fascinated by sea creatures.

Much of the production of Lush Cosmetics takes place close to our home.  Lush help us by providing clothing for the children (they arrive with very little).  They also ...

Here they are making bubble bath bombs!

We visit Monkey World which is only 25 minutes drive away. They enjoy watching the monkeys, chimps and gorillas swinging and climbing. 

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Education department provide us with a music morning ...

North Haven Yacht Club organised a regatta again this year. Youngsters are crabbing in this picture ...

… have kayak races ...

Cobham Aviation have us over for a morning.  The highlight is when they take turns ...

As well as shoes and clothing we provide youngsters with rucksacks so that they can carry the items needed each day

Seven children required prescription glasses this year.  We know from feedback how much the parents appreciate this service.

We spent a morning at Wimborne Model Village where Tony told them the Dorset folktale about the Cerne A​bbas Giant.

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Thanks to Merlin's Magic Wand we are able to visit the Sea Life Centre in Weymouth

Adventure Wonderland provides fun and great entertainment that the kids won't have experienced at home.

We go to the beach as often as is feasible.  This is the playground at Alum Chine ...

Boscombe Pier is another favourite, especially the rocks to climb on.

A quick stop for a team game.  They had to rearrange themselves according to height with out falling off.  

They thought they could stay here for the night!

Andy, who runs "Jurassic Jaunts" leads us at Lulworth and Durdle Door and explains why it is a World Heritage site.

… organise a day's visit when the youngsters help make soap products and try out working on a production line.  

 Here is another activity the children haven't come across before.  They quickly learn what to do and it all becomes very competitive.  Keyrings for the winners!   Thanks go to Tony Unsworth for making his crazy golf courses available to us.

This is a group picture at Monkey World

… as well as learning about rhythm they compose their own song which was performed at the "Leaving concert"

…  They also have opportunities to go out into the Harbour in boats skippered by volunteer club members ...

… and try to stay on the slippery pole!

sitting in the cockpit learning how to fly!