In recognition of this anniversary, CCPI rolled out National Chernobyl Week to honour the children and adults who live with the social, economic and medical deprivation as a result of the disaster which happened 22 years ago. CCPI appealed to outreach groups, volunteers and students and schools to help sell Babushka Doll charity pins to raise funds and promote awareness of the work of CCPI. We are delighted to say that the Week was a success. The charity received lots of media publicity and PR, including a news piece on RTE News and widespread national and regional media coverage. We will shortly begin preparations for National Chernobyl Week 2009 and would welcome any feedback you may have on making the Week a success for next year. If you would like to get involved or get more information on our plans for next year, please email mforde@chernobyl-ireland.com for an Information Pack.

Mr Michael Kitt TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development, has announced funding of 600,000 for Chernobyl Children's Project International to support the development of Day Care Centres which will provide essential medical and social services for rural populations in Belarus.

On the 22nd April this week a new exhibition opened in the UN Headquarters in New York celebrating the work of Zoya Lucevich, an exciting contemporary artist from Belarus. The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the United Nations, in cooperation with Mondano and Chernobyls Children Project International, supported the opening of ZOYA. The unique mixed-media pieces are intriguing and rich creations on auto windshields, along with paintings on canvas and solid wood, produced entirely during her recent stay in Washington DC. Coming from the land of Marc Chagall, Zoya reflects her impressions of America as well as her unique artistic and national identity in her new body of work. Like the artist herself, the work balances tradition and modernism and covers a vast psychological geography, from whimsical to sensual to deeply soulful. The ZOYA project is also a collaboration with the Chernobyls Children Project International to help establish arts programs for young people in Chernobyl-affected areas. On display at the United Nations through May 2, 2008, the ZOYA exhibit coincides with the 22nd anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe and will help bring the hopeful light of art for many children who live in its aftermath. The opening ceremony, hosted by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus, will be attended by the UN officials, representatives of NGOs and the diplomatic community. This project is conceived and organized by Mondano ('world citizen'), a nonprofit group based in Washington DC (www.mondano.net).

The Merrion Property Group sponsored a hugely successful fundraising event held in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin. The 'Rugby Lunch' was organised by the team at Merrion Property Group to raise much-needed funds for the charity's 'Home of Hope' Programme.

The Project was delighted to welcome all volunteers, past and present, to the Annual Conference at Portlaoise Hotel held earlier this year. The event offered a great opportunity to share stories and information and celebrate the tremendous work of volunteers throughout Ireland. Presentations included overviews of CCPI's programmes and achievements and outlined the strategic developments within CCPI.