my book,about my travels to Ukraine to help children

My book called "TO CHERNOBYL WITH LOVE " has been published by Waverley Publications Glasgow, Scotland,UK.
The ISBN 978-1-84934-188-2. The book can be purchased on either www.jimschernobyl.com or through Amazon Books.
All profits from the my book will be used to help the sick and orphaned children in Mallin Hospital, Ukraine. People who have read the book have told me that it was a good read. I will be returning to Mallin Hospital later this year, 2011 to help the children. I hope to be able to visit a children's rehabilitation centre in Kobyln village, near the small town of Ovruch. I will post another blog nearer the date of my departure to Ukraine. The more books I sell, means more help for the hospital children.
Thank you.

My Book being Published

Next week on 15 the. April 2011, a book I have written along with a Journalist friend will be published when I have the ISBN Number I will post another Blog with the details.
The Book contains photographs both from the hospital and my bus journeys from Scotland to Ukraine and back.

Bohdan's operation

I am happy to say that the operation on Bohdan's eye has been successfully carried out by Dr. Elena Akimenko at a hospital in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. He is now back with his sisters and other abandoned or abused children in Kobyln Rehabilitation Centre
after several months there he will be moved to an orphanage. A further visit to the hospital will take place in a year when another lens is going to be fitted to his eye. But the important fact is he can now see with both eyes which is fantastic. When I have any more news regarding Bohdan's situation I will put in on a blog.
My annual Chernobyl Vigil is going to be on Tuesday 26 April 2011 in George Square, Glasgow, Scotland. This is going to be my twenty fifth annual Chernobyl which will begin at 08:00 hours finishing at 20:00 hours.
Watching the news coverage of the catastrophic earthquake and Tsunami in Japan with hundreds of thousands of people suffering is terrible. Having the ever present threat of radiation from Fukushima Nuclear Power Station arriving must be impossible to comprehend for all living in Japan.

Bohdan an update.

Bohdan Sobolevski the wee boy I mentioned in my last blog, was recently examined by Doctors in Kiev. One of his eyes has no vision at all, but the good news is that an operation can be carried out which will save his sight. I was happy to hear this news and people on hearing of his plight have kindly donated money to help towards the cost of his operation. Hopefully his operation will take place soon, once I hear that it has taken place successfully I will post a blog about this. His 4th. birthday was earlier this month, despite his problems he runs about just like the other children at the centre where he lives.

recent trip in November 2010

Details of my latest trip,will be posted later.
This is just a short informative note. I visited visit to a different town where Bohdan Sobolevski the little boy I first saw in Malin Hospital is now living in a Childrens Rehabilitation Centre. He has been removed from his home along with his siblings. After a few months here he will be moved to a State Orphanage. He needs a cataract operation, and he is not yet 4 years old,it is so sad.
Jim Gillies.

planning my forthcoming trip.

Around end of October 2010 I will be setting off for Mallin Hospital once more. For most people the terrible events that began on 26th. April 1986 when an explosion and fire at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in Ukraine sent clouds of radioactive particles into the atmosphere have been forgotten. However the children who inherited this deadly legacy are constantly living or dying from its effects. The poisoned land inside the Exclusion Zone with it abandoned villages and farms is a testimony which will last for hundreds of years. In Ukraine life goes on people struggle to make a living, Politician's as in UK have their own selfish agenda, Chernobyl is remembered in annual parades but the struggle of everyday life for many people must take precedence. My trips to help the sick children in Mallin Hospital are a small gesture in helping, but at least I know that I have tried.

Planning my next visit

I hope to return to Mallin Hospital children's Department late Oct. early Nov.this year 2010.Last year 2009 I was unable to go to the village where Bohdan Sobolevski lives because of the swine flue quarantine restrictions. This time I want to visit other villages as well as his, in the Zheetomir Region. I am going to go by bus which allows me to carry more items compared to flying which is too restrictive.The hospital now has more abandoned children than ever before according to the Doctor in charge . I must continue to do my best to help.
In this country as citizens we are told that an accident at a British Nuclear Power Station of the same magnitude as the 1986 catastrophe at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station is impossible. When you visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone ( which you can do as a tourist ) looking at the effects of the radioactive legacy you sincerly hope they are 100% correct.