This video presents the 4th charity expedition (and the 3rd organized by NAPROMIENIOWANI.PL) to aid the people of Chernobyl.
It's just an excerpt which does not convey the full magnitude of the whole expedition.
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April 26, 1986 - The nuclear disaster in Chernobyl
Evacuation of 350.000 people
Race against time
Forced resettlement
The local settlers - Samosely
The Last People of Chernobyl 2
Pripyat 33 years later
Amusement park the Ferris wheel
The Palace of Culture 'Energetik'
The Music School Kurchatov Street
The Azure Swimming Pool Sportyvna Street
Pripyat
Central square
The Last People of Chernobyl 2
The skies were illuminated by two consecutive explosions...
and the still waters were disturbed by small waves.
This is how Vasil Lavrenko describes the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.
On the night between 25 and 26 April 1986, he was fishing.
He had no idea what was going on or how this would affect him and thousands of other people...
...while listening to the sirens of the fire engines, rushing to the power plant.
As a result of the disaster, 145.000 people were evacuated...
134 of them had symptoms of acute radiation syndrome, 28 of whom died.
Among them, there were firefighters who were the first to appear at the ground zero and risked their lives.
They were brave as they knew that one couldn't do anything to protect themselves against radiation.
Their highly contaminated clothes had been stored in the basement of the Hospital No.126 in Pripyat...
...making it one of the most contaminated spots in the entire Exclusion Zone.
However, the town of Pripyat remained functional for one more day.
People went to work and to school. Some even got married.
No sooner than on April 27 were the people informed about the irrevocable evacuation of all inhabitants...
Three hours later, the town was empty.
There was no panic. People believed that it was only temporary and that they'd be back 3 days later.
In fact, they did return...but many months later and only to pick up their belongings.
This is how Pripyat, the USSR's youngest city, died, along with 95 nearby villages.
Despite the restrictions, some returned to live in the abandoned villages - just like Vasil Lavrenko.
They are called "Samosely". Those self-settlers are the last people of Chernobyl.
It's time to go and launch another charity expedition and help the Samosely.
Day 1
*Ivankiv, the Exclusion Zone border* How many families? 15 maybe 20?
Shall we take this with us?
We're on our way to village number one, Opachychi. There is a babushka who will turn 91 in July.
We visited her during last year's expedtion. She was doing fine. Let's see how she is now.
We will give her the bare necessities and, if need be, will run some errands.
Then we will go further to Kupovate which is more populated than the place we will visit now.
*Opachychi, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Watch your head.
Close the door behind you.
The boys from Poland came here to help you and brought you some gifts.
Behind the fridge. Here.
We have brought those slippers for her.
-They are good! -I will put the other one on too. May you boys get younger and younger!
-They are so soft! -Warm.
They used to come and remove the snow but recently she has to manage on her own.
-Oh, so she's removed all the snow on the way to the well by herself? -Yes.
-So the firefighters come to help. What about the local authorities? -No, there's nobody.
The local workers here remove the snow, cut trees down and bring it to Chernobyl or somewhere.
They come, cut trees down and clean things up.
Only those people come here.
It is not their duty. They come and help of their own accord.
You will make me look beautiful.
Of course! We will bring you new pictures.
I used to walk a lot...
...Kids, I have no place to work...There are no people so they dissolved the kolkhoz.
I used to milk cows. There were 15 of them. With my own hands.
I also took care of the sows when they got babies.
I even did potato-lifting with a tractor, when I was small.
I'd then travel on the trailer.
-Are you 91? -No, older than that.
-You're older? -I'm from 1928.
She was born in 1928. So she's 91 now. Her birthday is in July.
I will have a round number soon.
-Oh, there's a mess over there. This is where my "main residence" is. -Don't worry about it.
She has some beautiful pictures here. There on the cupboard.
Apparently she was active during the WWII. She was a partisan. She helped people.
I used to bring partisans food. I sure did.
There was no snow here. It all fell at once.
When she was young and worked, her shoes were worn out every week.
I used to dance a lot and that would damage my shoes.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
May God protect you and women not disturb you.
Oh, the dog.
With a lot of trouble we've reached the village of Otashev.
Not many people come here. It's my 69th time in the Zone but only my 3rd visit here.
Anyway, we will give her lots of things. She never leaves this place and she probably has no family. Nobody visits her.
*Otashev, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Good day.
I'll be speaking Polish because she is deaf, unfortunately.
She says that it's nice that we've come, despite the cold.
I can't say anything. It's hard to explain.
Thank you.
-Here we have water for you. -Thank you.
And this is a coal briquette.
Ask her about that picture in the white frame, next to the TV. She got it from me.
The Poles...
Yes, it was me.
Oh, so you're from Poland? Thank you.
So she remembers that.
Thank you.
When Vasyl, my neighbour, died, the cat came to me.
So you have 3 cats now, right?
There are five cats.
So this is where they stay. Look how cute he is.
Look here.
Last year, when we were here, she was one of the two inhabitants of this village.
Now she is the sole inhabitant.
Petru Ivanovich, who lived here, died in September 2018.
We didn't meet him last year because he was staying with his family in Kyiv.
He was a very active Samosel. He would swim in the river and go fishing. That's what he ate.
Unfortunately, he died and now this village is dying too.
*Kupovate, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
We're now in Kupovate, in front of the house of a sweet babushka who has problems walking.
This is why we will give her a lot. To help her survive the winter.
Warm clothes, lots of food...
I will also give her a gift from Lucja - a young girl who was here with us last September.
Babushka liked her a lot. Lucja put fresh bandages on her leg.
It was clear to see that they became friends, despite the language barrier.
Lucja sent me a gift for her: a photo and a nice headscarf.
Let's go and give it to her. We'll see how she's doing.
Maybe we should enter?
Good day! May we enter?
-Should I leave it here? -Yes, please.
This is a new oilcloth, maybe you'll need it.
And this is to keep you warm at night. It's soft.
Thank you!
-Let's go and warm up next to the stove. -Yes.
-To make nights brighter. -Yes, I indeed needed a flashlight.
The switch is right there.
-It's a good one. -Yes, sure it is.
-Lucja, a tiny and beautiful girl. -Yes, she was helping indeed.
Maybe you don't remember her but she remembers you and she sends you this picture.
-Oh my God! -She sent it to me and told me to give it to you.
She also wrote you a letter.
Maybe you should read it.
Read it for me, I can't see that well.
"Good day, babushka. I don't know if you remember me but I visited you in September."
"This time I couldn't come in person but I've sent you a gift, so that you remember me."
"I wish you good health and good luck. May Krystian take care of you."
"I will come again next year. I hope you will like your gift."
"Best wishes, Lucja"
-It's her. -And this is me?
How nice of her, such a nice frame. Oh, my daughter!
Lady Olga, whom we've just visited, gave us supper...
...and she got some gifts.
Now we're going to the other end of Kupovate, to visit Maria Ilchenko.
Unfortunately, her husband died last October.
It's sad because I knew them very well. I visited them very often.
Maria treated me like one of her grandsons.
I once gave her a photo of me and her.
She kissed it and put it right next to her family photos.
It's a sad story, how her husband passed. He died peacefully in his bed.
She couldn't afford neither a church service nor a decent funeral.
There came foresters and firefighters, took him 300 metres further...
...to the nearby cemetery and buried him there.
This is how life ends in the Exclusion Zone.
We'll now visit lady Maria, spend some time with her, give her some food and warm clothes.
That's a lot of snow.
The place seems well maintained, though.
We'll put it here, next to the bench.
Mind your head.
Oh! My dearest grandsons have come!
-You didn't recognize us immediately? -No! I didn't!
-Where should we put it? -Come on, come on.
-Don't open it. We've eaten already. -Have you?
-I have. Thank you. -And you? Have you eaten?
He has become fat already.
He is the fattest one.
He drinks a lot of beer, so...
Come, give me a kiss.
No, no. Just do your thing...
And this? You got it from me. It's me.
It's her son.
It's all of them together.
-More, more, more! -Leave enough for her.
What kind of person are you that you won't take it from me?
-What? -She says: When I give, you have to take.
Alright, then I will.
-More... -Are you filling it up?
-Thank you very much. I will take it with me to Poland. -Oh, my dear bunny!
This is a new oilcloth...
...flashlights. We have everything here.
Coal briquettes...
Oh! I know what it is.
You can use those at home.
This will keep you warm.
-Soap, some jar lids... -That's good thinking!
I simply remembered that she wanted them.
Here you have a sweater, to keep you warm.
Just flick this switch and it'll work.
I am afraid now.
And this one, over here...
This one is good.
We can replace the batteries.
-Boys, could you replace the batteries? -Sure, we will.
-Thank you very much. -God bless you, my children.
Look at the stars.
-Goodbye and good luck! -God bless you, my dearest children!
-Goodbye! -Goodbye!
We're on our way back from babushka Maria, who was very hospitable.
We got some moonshine, cake, fresh bacon and mushrooms.
It's -17 degrees now. A rough winter.
Now it's time to come back to the hotel and have some rest.
Tomorrow morning we'll be back.
Day 2
*Kupovate, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
It can't be! It just can't be!
Last time she needed some firewood. She couldn't chop it herself, so we did it.
It was me!
-Don't forget the flashlights! -Oh, yeah. Right.
-I need to do some... -No worries. We can walk here.
But you will have cold feet!
We'll have some vodka and we'll be OK.
-Many go right there, to the farmstead in Listvinec. -Yes. So people live there too, right?
Yes, they do. Should I show you the way?
No need, we'll find it. Stay here, we'll be back soon.
Hi there, hi.
Sit down and warm yourself up. You're so cold.
-There's something wrong with the phone. -Maybe we could take a look and fix it?
It would ring...
She had more than 200 messages, many people called her but now it's broken.
-Oh, the memory is full. -Yes! And I don't know what to do.
I will fix it.
If you have guests, they can use this to chop firewood.
If somebody upsets me, I'll teach them a lesson!
But tell her that it's razor-sharp.
She has an axe too but it's heavy and hard to lift.
That's why we gave her this one. It's fine for smaller pieces.
Yes, you can wear those in the summer.
We also have an umbrella here, if she needs it.
You can use it when it rains. You can visit your neighbours and drink some moonshine with them.
Thank you so much! My grandson brings me medicines...
When I turn the light on, the electricity makes all three light bulbs explode.
It's an energy saving light bulb so it should fix the problem.
We don't need anything. Being here is already a reward, that we're welcome here.
Happy? Yes, I am very happy...
It's like being visited by brothers...
Please, don't cry.
I won't.
-Put it there. -We have some warm slippers.
-We'll help you as much as we can. -Thank you!
No need to cry. Everything is alright. We'll help, as long as we're here.
-You can cry when we're gone! -No need for that, no need!
I cry even without you.
...and then the boys came and chopped firewood for you.
Yes, Krystian, they did.
And there was a girl, Natalia - Natasha
She's prepared a gift for you and I will give it to you.
Oh, really?
A headscarf and glasses for you to see which ones are good.
Thank you so much, my boy!
-Will you kiss her from me? -Of course.
There are glasses for you.
Something wrong with the leg?
She has some growth on it.
We can give her a first aid kit. We still have one.
No, no need.
There are new bandages in it.
And where are you from, boys?
They are Polish and I work in the Exclusion Zone. I'm from Kyiv.
So you're Polish?
My father once went to Poland when he was a soldier.
Marek, here you have some bandages, sticking plasters, pills...
Lots of basic things.
-Thank you for coming here. -Thank you. Best of luck.
First go uphill and then...
First of all, we have bread, water, detergents, tea, canned food...
A flashlight and batteries.
It's a radiotelephone. I stay in touch with Chernobyl.
-With the local authorities? -Yes. The police is nearby.
It's handy if we, knock on wood, need an ambulance...
-So you're sort of a leader here? -Kind of. The phone is here but Bezwerha (another babushka) is the actual leader.
Thank you and see you next time.
-You can come with us. -Yes, let's go then.
Help her enter the car.
Just follow the road.
It's slippery.
I'll go and tidy it up a bit.
-What do you have? -A BMW. Good day!
I was a liquidator.
They were giving out some gifts for the former liquidators, but nobody told us and nobody came here.
We live so far away that nobody comes here.
Which one is for the tuner? This one?
My sister, Tatiana.
What did you feel when you found out about the evacuation?
We felt fear. A specific fear, a sort of panic.
And what did you do?
Nothing, really. It was a chaos, screaming children, especially the small ones.
Did you know immediately that there was disaster?
-No. It happened on Friday night. -At 1 A.M. on Saturday.
-I was fishing at that time so I know. -You came back in the morning. -No, they didn't let me go on Saturday.
There was no communications. There was nothing.
And I went there no sooner than on Sunday.
No sooner than on Sunday did they tell us on the radio to get packing.
On Sunday, after dinner, they announced the evacuation and the buses came.
It was around 4 or 5 P.M.
I haven't used it for a month.
The rumour of our yesterday's trip to Kupovate has spread rapidly among the Samosely...
That there are some Poles with gifts...
As a result, to our surprise, all the houses we saw today were clean and the snow was removed.
They were all prepared. The food and the moonshine were waiting for our coming.
It seems we've caused some chaos here.
Every time we were visiting somebody, some neighbour would come by and invite us to visit them too, etc...
There was something going on everywhere we went. The village was alive again.
Now we'll visit a woman whom we've never visited nor seen before.
She lives at the outskirts of the village. We've never been here.
Let's see how she's doing...The dinner is, most probably, already prepared.
-In 1926 -Which month? -February
Sit down, please.
No, I will stand.
We don't need to, thank you.
We're young, we can stand.
The dinner is ready.
Have some apricots, please.
We have some gifts for you.
Some bread, meat...
-A nice duvet from Poland. -Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Oh, my golden boys.
Her family is slowly dying out and she's still alive...
She's old and has been through much.
Tell her that this one saves energy.
I've already told her.
Just as bright but...
This one is even brighter.
This is a spare one.
-We'll try to come more often. -Yes, please!
-We'll do our best to always bring you something. -It's tough here when nobody comes.
We understand that. You need somebody to talk to.
I don't know...my soul just seems so heavy.
But you look very good for 93 years of age.
I haven't gone anywhere for the past 35 years.
Or how long ago did it happen? 33 years ago?
I never went to the village where Hania lives.
-Goodbye and good luck! I will see you out. -See you next time!
-It's -22 degrees today. -Oh, really?
-This morning? -Yes
It's like Siberia.
In Poland, we haven't had such winter in ages.
-Just follow this road and you will reach the main road. -This way? -Yes.
Go straight and turn around.
Follow the road by the ditch and take the road which leads to Bezwerha.
Turn to the right...
Go and check over there. Maybe there's a ditch under the snow...
We've brought some food: milk, bread...
Those Polish boys have come.
Good, good.
It's for the cat...
We have some gifts for you. Milk, bread, water, pasta, meat....
...and some other things.
This is for the cat too.
You can choose whatever you need.
He and his wife were married for a long time.
Then she died and now he's alone here.
-And the bag? -The bag is for you too.
-My God, and I don't have anything for you. -There's no need, grandpa. It's alright.
-What should I... -We don't need anything.
The day is coming to an end and this will be our last visit for today.
She's a sort of a local leader. She writes petitions and stays in touch with the local authorities.
We'll give her some bread, milk, blankets and other necessary things.
-So, let's get on with it. -Yes, let's go.
Is everything in here?
-Good day. -Yes, good day.
No, no. I won't need those anyway.
Krystian, if you have a jacket, I could use one.
Later we'll go to the car and bring some jackets. You'll pick the one you like.
Yes. And this one you can take back.
-I have a warm blanket here. -Yes, why not.
A flashlight...
Oh, thank you, thank you.
And another one.
-This one needs batteries. And this one too? -Yes.
Oh, thank you.
Does the food truck come here often?
Some 3 weeks ago around February 10. They bring our pension and sell goods...
...so that the people have money to buy things.
Maybe this one?
-Yes, Krystian. -Is it good?
...my first daughter, and this is my husband.
It's him. And this is my family.
-This nice girl here. -Yes, it's a relative of this girl here.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you, my bunny.
*Kupovate, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone* Maybe I should help you...
Thank you.
And we thank you.
We're going back to the town of Chernobyl, to our hotel.
We've reached the end of day 2.
I must say that it was a tough day but we've managed to visit many people.
Some 8 or 9 people...
It might seem a small number but if you consider that...
...each of them wants us to sit down, have some food...
-Some have dumplings, some have potatoes... -Yes, they are very friendly. Just amazing.
It's hard to leave this place but we have to do it.
We have to be in Chernobyl by 7 P.M.
Tomorrow is day 3 and we'll go to Teremtsy.
We'll see how many people there are now. Many of them leave their houses to spend the winter elsewhere.
For example, with their families.
Day 3
*Parishev, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Good morning!
-Bon appétit! -Thank you.
-Do you need glasses? -Yes.
How do you like them? Can you try them on?
They should be fine. It's alright.
Oh yes, they are good.
We'll give you some cat food, especially for your cat.
Oh, it's for the cat. It's good for him.
Should I help you?
I will sit on the chair.
Does anyone visit you here? Your family, perhaps?
Oh my dear children, I only have 2 sons in Belarus.
And you know how difficult the times we live in are.
Last spring they gave them a 3-day pass and said:"May you never set foot in here again!"
Yes, 3 days.
In 1936? When exactly? In November? Your birthday was not so long ago then...
*Two months after our visit Anna fell and went to hospital. She passed away 3 days later in Ivankiv.*
*She was buried in a cemetery in the abandoned village of Parishev, where she lived.*
Should we help you come back to the table?
She wants to do it herself.
The Samosely don't receive regular visits. This is why they are so hospitable.
They always go out of their way to welcome us and give us whatever they have.
Yesterday, we had a chance to see that there's a big contrast among them.
Some are doing better than the others.
Some are healthy, some aren't.
But this is why we are here. We help them all.
*Teremtsy, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Good morning!
We have good intentions. We have brought some goods.
Maybe you need glasses?
-They are still cold. -You can try them on later.
You can see right away if they are good.
We have some detergents, jar lids...
Yes, I know. Simply, when it crashes then...
Does anyone live here in the area?
She says that we should go and try a bit further there.
She says there's an electricity transformer over there. Somebody lives in that area.
We can speak Russian.
They are still cold.
He's all shaking.
What a smart dog. He's jealous.
I was standing there and was holding him. The dog caught it.
-Goodbye! -Thank you!
-Good day! ...from Poland.
Look, a duvet.
You can hang it up like this.
It's not a duvet. It's a bathrobe.
Some bread, oil, milk...
Ask her if she needs anything. Maybe something warm, a jacket?
Do you ever go outside? Do you stay here?
She says that she has so many things but nobody to dress up for.
She goes outside when the food truck comes.
Oh, my eyes!
Do your grandchildren visit you?
One of them lives in Kyiv and the other one works there.
Two of them. One is 30 and still a bachelor.
Just like us. We're 30 and bachelors.
My dear boys.
This one here is the youngest and he drinks much.
You're all beautiful.
My children.
In general, how are you? Oh yes. I got up, I have some chickens, a dog...
I've fed the dog and the chickens. I got the chicken coop warmed up. Otherwise they'll freeze. The nights are cold.
She says that she's fine but her mind is not as clear as it used to be.
Sometimes she just walks and then she falls and she doesn't know what's going on.
Her son asked this man to come over here and take care of her.
He'll show us the way to Tatiana.
See you next time. Stay healthy.
Do you have milk?
We've got a Polish axe for you. Be careful, it's very sharp.
God bless you.
Last time, her daughter was here, huh?
We've brought you some things. Those are slippers, but use them only at home, not outside.
I understand. At home.
You asked for a flashlight.
You press it here and it works.
Some water, bread, pasta...
Thank you all so much, boys!
There was a water leak.
Her daughter asked the local authorities to take some wooden sticks and glue it all up.
She asked them for help and they did nothing. She wrote petitions, one after another...
Maybe this one? Let her try it on to see if it's not too small.
One more?
Good boy.
We're Polish.
-Warm slippers. -Thank you.
I will use them to walk on my carpets.
A duvet. It'll keep you warm for sure.
To keep me warm. I'm always cold.
Thank you that you didn't forget about me.
We won't forget about you. We've promised to come and here we are.
I see that you have glasses. Maybe you'd like to have some new ones?
-Can I choose one? -Yes, but wipe them clean. They are steamed up.
That's a bit better.
So it's better, right?
You can keep them.
When was it exactly?
After the war.
I was born in 1936.
It's time to die.
Do the local authorities take care of you?
They don't bring anything. Bread comes once per month.
They took her father when she was 5. After the war there was nothing. All houses burned down. There were no houses in the village.
Those who returned would hide in the forest. They'd make dugouts and live there.
Those were very hard times. Life was bad.
-And how are you now? -It's still hard, my son.
-I'm old now and I have nobody. -Does anyone come here to help you?
There's nobody here. I'm sitting here alone with sticks.
You told us that your phone was broken. Now you can put the sim card in this one. It's new.
She wants to learn how to use it.
Oh, it's very easy.
Wrong button.
Tell her to press the button in the middle and just insert the number.
Press the numbers and then confirm with this green button here.
-And what if somebody calls me? Should I press the green one? -Yes, the green one.
Press some button. Now you see it on the screen.
It works just like the previous phone. Just plug it in.
I will pour you a glass. I will give you the whole bottle.
No, no. We still need to visit other people. We mustn't get drunk.
So maybe you can have some here, and there...
No, no. They gave us a lot yesterday.
-There's still one bottle. -Really not. Thank you.
Otherwise, I have nothing to offer.
You don't need to. It's fine. We're happy that you are fine.
I'm not that fine...but thank you so, so much.
We thank you too for being so hospitable.
We've come to visit you, from Poland. We can help you a bit.
No, not from England - from Poland.
You should've called me. Why haven't you?
We don't have your number.
Good day!
But I gave my number to Krystian.
When we were by the river...
-Oh, right! Indeed! -...and I was cleaning the fish.
We'll leave it here so that you can have a look.
-Oh, boys, come on - I'll give you some money. -No need, it's for free.
Oh, Krystian...
The entire Poland has sent you this, you can say something to the camera.
What I have to say is...
Thank you very much, gentlemen!
My grandpa, Stefan, and great grandmother, Juliana, were Polish.
Just smell it. Nice, isn't it?
It's dry. Do you want some?
No, no. We've come to give you things, not to take from you.
I've liked Krystian from the start. He's like a son.
Or like a grandson.
And you're like a granny.
Mrs. Granny.
Yes. Mrs. Granny.
She has a daughter but her son died, unfortunately.
11 years ago.
And my daughter is smart and is a university graduate.
My grandson studied in Kyiv and graduated too.
Come and have a look! Come in!
This is my grandson.
My brother, when he was turning 60, invited me to Kyiv to celebrate with him.
His daughter graduated too.
We should learn from animals, how to live.
She is grateful for our help.
Well, it's time to say goodbye, I guess.
-See you next time. -See you!
Vasil's wife suffered from many diseases. We helped her by bringing medications.
This time we've come to spend her death anniversary with her family.
Day 4
*Ilintsy, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Everything's gone.
Even the bed is gone.
One of the first Samosely I met was Fedor Struk.
He was the reason why I started thinking of organizing charity expeditions here.
Unfortunately, 2 years ago, shortly after our visit, he'd left his house and never returned.
Even now, nobody knows what happened to him.
All valuable items are gone. The photo we gave him is still here, though.
He was obviously moved because, in the picture, there was his old house...
...before it burned down.
This situation triggered me to help those people.
We'll keep on helping them as long as they are here.
Fedor left his house leaving a nibbled piece of bread and a glass of water, as if he'd left only for a moment.
However, he never returned. His body hasn't been found, either.
*Lubyanka the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
Unfortunately, babushka Olga wasn't home. Later on, we were told that she's now living with her family in Kyiv...
...because of her deteriorating health.
There's some note here...
She requests that nobody should vandalize her house. Yushchenko Olga Pavlovna...Granny Ola.
Two padlocks...
The inhabitants of Polesskoye were evacuated no sooner than in 1992, so 6 years after the disaster.
Earlier, they were always told that there was no radiation...
...but then they changed their mind and the people had to go.
Polesskoye is an urban settlement and is rarely visited.
It's my 69th time in the Zone, but only my 2nd time here.
During our first visit, we met here a certain Samosely couple.
One of the former inhabitants, when we saw him in Kyiv, told us...
...about an elderly babushka who lives here, totally forgotten and with no family.
He gave me directions how to find her. However, he wasn't sure if she's still alive.
So, we're here now. We'll visit the couple I've mentioned before...
...and will try to verify the information about the forgotten babushka.
"My fatherland. It's our fault that thieves stole everything."
"Forgive us our sins. It once was a beautiful city. I bow my grey head and thank you for remembering us."
"I remember you all: my teachers, my friends."
"May peace be with the living and with those who have passed."
*Polesskoye, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone* -Good day!
Ouch!
-How was your trip? -Good.
We've brought you some things.
-He's inviting us for a cup of tea. -We'll come to you soon, sir.
It's water, not vodka...
He says that it was unnecessary to evacuate people from here.
When was this town evacuated?
They started in 1992 and finished in 2005.
-You mean, getting people out of here? -Yes, yes.
-How many people did live here? -15.000.
-No, I mean between 1992 and 2005. -First, a 1000 of people then a 100...
-In 1992 there was still a 1000 people here.
Why did they start the evacuation so late, in 1992?
You know, earlier we had a catch-grab-and-leave policy here...
The town was industry-oriented. The furniture was produced, textiles...
See? It's a recipe. Apple cider vinegar (1 glass), fresh meat, a glass and garlic, 10 pieces...
It's my field of interest. I studied in Kharkiv and have a degree in pharmacy.
I have a double medical degree.
-Do you have a shovel on you? -Yes, we do.
How many people are still here?
All of us and also babushka Alla.
-At the edge of the town? -Yes.
We should visit her too.
Good evening.
We have lots of bread, milk, water and other goods.
Thank you!
So it's you who help us and not...
-Poroshenko won't come here. -True.
Alla Ivanovna Poteychuk
Good night and stay healthy!
-Thank you so much. May God let you live a 100 years and may you never be poor. -And we thank you too.
-Have a nice evening! -Take good care!
-If we can, we'll come again, when it's a bit warmer. -Yes, of course. That's good.
Best wishes!
*Pripyat the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone*
The 4th charity expedition has come to an end. The longest one.
We've spent here 4 days, instead of 3 days, as in the previous years.
As a result, we've visited a vast number of people who stayed here for the winter.
It's not without a reason that we come here when the weather is so extreme.
This is when they need our help most.
In the summer, they grow their own vegetables and they get by.
It's not like they're going to die without our help.
Each of them is different. Some are doing well, some not so well...
Some of them are healthy and are supported by their families...
...while others are very ill and nobody comes to visit them.
We all help the best we can.
We help them here because we spend here the lion's share of each year.
We'd like to thank all those who helped us organize this expedition.
In memory of those who have passed and those whom we never have met...
The Last People of Chernobyl 2
This expedition was organized by NAPROMIENIOWANI.PL
Produced by
Host & Head Organizer
Interpreter & Guide
Driver & Photography
Camera & Film Editing
Special Effects
This charity expedition wouldn't have taken place without the support provided by the readers of NAPROMIENIOWANI.PL, our families, friends and associates.
The Last People of Chernobyl 2. Produced by:
Subtitles: Przemek Kosewski