Impressions of Chornobyl
Ruslan Masnenky, Project Analyst, USUF Kyiv

We were told much about Chornobyl in school, even more in university - we discussed it with friends and neighbors.  But can you really believe everything that's said about this catastrophe and what it's compared to? My view changed after my visit to the closed zone, where I was able to hear from workers and experts about the real situation, and what's being done at the shelter.  For me this was an extreme and captivating sight. 

The youth that the Foundation invited, at first reacted with fear to the proposal to visit the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.  Many students turned down the offer, and understandably so, due to fear, safety.  The consequences of the accident showed us all to not test fate. But we managed to get a team together, and made this more than successful journey. 

Future ecologist, leaders, and managers saw the shelter with their very own eyes.  They visited the abandoned city of Prypiat and took in the sights of the exclusion zone.  They spoke with leaders experts in the field.  Most interesting is the fact that people are maintaining the station.  They don't go around wearing gas masks or protective overalls.  Everything is like it would be at any other nuclear station.  Every day they go to work and then return to their homes.  And you never hear someone say, "Why did we come here?  Wasn't it enough what happened in 1986?" No.  These people, who risk their lives, work so that we, and the entire world, feel safe and don't suffer again.  The best way that we can thank them is by honoring them and not forgetting those mistakes that touched us all.  It's a shame that all the youth isn't aware of this.  Let's have faith that this isn't the case. 

 I thank my coworkers and all the students for an amazing journey.