Daria from Gomel: How a summer in Sudheim changed her life

Daria from Gomel: How a summer in Sudheim changed her life

On July 22, 2025, we will look back on a moving story that has gone deep into the hearts of many people. Daria Lukomskaja, now a young woman, remembers her first summer vacation at the Jäger family farm in Sudheim, which she was able to experience at the age of nine. This trip was part of an aid campaign by the Hanover Regional Church for children from the Gomel region in Belarus, which was affected by the Chernobyl disaster. The shock of the accident that occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986 has had a lasting impact on the region to this day. Thanks to a secret request from her grandfather and a warm invitation from Cornelia and Theodor Jäger, Daria was able to start the journey.

Daria spent many summers in southern Lower Saxony and quickly learned German. These stays not only had a positive influence on their language skills, but also on their health. Numerous studies have shown that staying in Germany strengthens the immune system of children from Gomel and improves their blood count. An impressive example of this is Daria's own statement: "In Gomel everything was gray, here it was colorful." This illustrates the differences between their homeland and life in Germany.

The ongoing consequences of Chernobyl

The Chernobyl disaster is more than just a chapter in history books; it is a reality that still affects many families today. The level of radiation exposure caused at least 350,000 people to flee or relocate. In the affected areas, including parts of Belarus, the consequences are still being felt: many newborns suffer from deformities and the children's immune systems remain weakened. Even in the city of Pripyat, once a thriving community, nothing but ghost stories exist anymore as the high levels of radiation leave no one behind.

The “Help for Chernobyl Children” working group, which is organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, has been active for decades. Every year around 20 children and accompanying persons from Gomel are accepted into host families in the Northeim district, with the children often staying for four weeks. The host parents receive support in organizing the stay, including a holiday program that includes trips to the sea. An experienced tip for host families is to host at least two children to promote social interaction.

A lasting network

The aid operation was not continued after the Corona pandemic, but the relationships between Germany and the children from Gomel continue. Cornelia Jäger, who has organized the holiday campaign for almost 30 years, expresses her gratitude to all the host families who have generously committed themselves to welcoming the children. This initiative not only gave Daria and many others the opportunity to have a carefree time, but also created unforgettable connections.

In the 2022 holiday year, the children were unable to spend their holidays in Germany due to the political situation and the corona pandemic. However, the hope of continuing the tradition of the holiday campaign remains. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, which represents a particularly important reason for the continuation of such relief efforts. Donations are necessary to keep these important programs alive for the children of Gomel.

Extensive information about the holiday campaign is available for those interested. It is important to all of us to lend a hand to these children who are suffering from the consequences of one of the greatest disasters in human history and to give them a better future.

Further details about the relief campaign can be found at Hittfeld church district, while Einbeck News Offers insights into Daria's personal story. You can find more information about the Chernobyl disaster here: Greenpeace.