DVD now online

My DVD slideshow and diary highlights have now been uploaded to www.makeasmile.co.uk

My diary is also available in an A4 book format including many more photos. If you would like a copy, please send a minimum donation of £5 to cover costs and postage to 'Make A Smile' 17 Okehampton Close, Plymouth, PL7 2RP, or via Paypal to info@makeasmile.co.uk

Thank you very much everyone who has made it possible with donations and fund raising events for me to take the show on tour to these children. Every single smile on my DVD and photographs are for you.

Thank you :)

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Back in the UK

Back home again now, it's all over, already, where has the month gone. To sum the month up, I've had the most amazing tour. 28 days, 37 shows, and I've left behind many great memories for children with miles of smiles. I did say this would be a one off big tour, but I can't resist myself and already thinking about another. Not for a few years, but it will happen.

Over the next few days I'll be finishing my DVD with photos, uploading it to my website and taking the more interesting parts of my diary for my blog.

Please come back soon.

In the meantime,

Keep smiling :)

Comment by Emazdad

I'm knackered just reading about what Billy's been up to in Belarus, I know that over the next few rounds of golf when he returns I'll get a first hand account of his travels, I'm going to have to convince Billy to turn his blog into a book which I'm sure would be a best seller.

Billy's trip isn't qute over, but I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words.

People often go on about Princess Di, and other rich celebrities and the charitable work they do, but in my mind it's people like Billy, and the 1000's of other ordinary people who work tirlessly in their own time and often like Billy spending their own money to help others who are the real heros.

I'd like to thank everyone that has donated money and helped Billy reach his £5000 target to fund this years trip, since we started the appeal we've been stunned by the warmth and generousity of the people who've helped us achieve this goal, Every donation no matter how big or small is gratefully recieved, so thank you all for making my best mates dream of helping these kids come true.

I'm very proud of what he's achieved over there and so proud to able to call Billy my best mate. I look forward to helping him raise money for his future trips, he wants to go over there at least once a year. Our next main fundraiser is the variety show in August, hopefully we'll see a lot of you there it's going to be great fun.

Thanks Everyone

Clive "Emazdad"

Back in Minsk

Monday 19th May, we visit Bobruskj orphanage for the second time, they were so good at the first show, and we had a spare few hours this morning that I wanted to return to make them all some balloons as we didn’t have time before.

We visited each of the six rooms one at a time with up to 10 children per room. Each time we entered the room all the children were jumping up and down with excitement because the ‘magician’ was back again.

I made every child in each room a balloon before saying goodbye and travelling an hours journey to the next show in a village called Bortniki.

This was a smaller orphanage with mixed ages from 5 to 16 years. About 20 children, very well behaved and a pleasure to entertain.

In the evening, Yuri and Ludmilla, who I have been staying with, have been showing some photos of a recent child they’ve taken into care. The story is horrific. Tamara is about 11 years old (I forgot to ask her age). Her father committed suicide and her mother is an alcoholic. Tamara also has a younger brother and sister who now live with other families.

Her mother received help from many different people including Yuri and Ludimilla who took a huge quantity of food to the house to help the family. Unfortunately, the mother sold all she received to by more alcohol. Eventually the children were taken into care and she was deprived of her rights for ever to look after them.

Tamara, her bother and sister spent the whole of the summer holidays (before being taken into care) eating just apples from neighbouring trees and drinking dirty water. The summer holidays in Belarus are not the same as UK holidays, they last for 3 months. I was shown photos of how the house looked when the children were taken, it really was horrendous. I’ve never seen so much dirt everywhere. Their clothes hadn’t been washed for months, they hadn’t washed themselves for months, the house was just piled high with muck.

Now, Tamara is a beautiful little girl with huge smiles every time you see her. She’s happy, still has contact with her brother and sister and most importantly is in a loving family environment.

Tuesday 20th May, and we’re travelling to Mogilov. I’ll be staying for 4 days with Vladimar, Marina and daughter Alina (picture below). I first met Alina in the Minsk Children’s Cancer Hospital two years ago in April 2006. We’ve kept in touch with the family since. I visited them for one day last year. We’ve been trying to bring Alina to the UK for a months holiday. But because of her illness (leukaemia) she has not been well enough to travel. Now she is, but because of her Leukaemia, Belarusian law states she must be accompanied by a doctor or parent. My wife and I discussed it and immediately decided we would invite her mother as well. So this year on the 27th July, both Marina and Alina will travel to England and live with us for a month.

As I’ve said before, when children visit the UK, because they are breathing fresh air and eating fresh food, their lives are prolonged by up to two years. I’ve recently found out that this information is a little inaccurate. When I had a meeting with a specialist on the problems of Chernobyl in the Gomel region, I was advised that they will extend their lives by up to three years not two. . . even better.

One thing you will always notice when the children visit the UK is the change of colour in their faces. They arrive looking very pale but return home with a good healthy looking colour.

Today is Saturday 24th May, we had a three hour journey back to Minsk for the final stage of my tour. We left Mogilov at 7pm this morning. We Also took Alina and her mother Marina to the bus station in Minsk. They are travelling to Germany for more medical tests on Alina. She is now cured from her Leukaemia but still has to have regular check ups. The trip to Germany takes 34 hours by bus through Belarus, Poland and then to Germany. I’m told the specialist’s and equipment used in Germany is much more advanced than in Belarus. Their trip is also sponsored by a charity, although I’m not sure which.

When I found out they had to travel 34 hours I decided to buy Alina an MP3 player. I had to pretend it was for my own use for my flight home as Marina would never have allowed me to buy it. It wasn’t expensive, about £30, but to a family in Belarus, it’s a luxury they can’t really afford. When we got back to the car I explained I already had one and this was a special gift for a very special girl, to keep her a little occupied during her journey. If you could have seen Alina’s face when I gave it to her you would have been as choked as me, worth every single penny. Marina was extremely grateful and said Alina has been asking for years for an MP3 player.

Now for the bad news . . . . . we got home, had our tea and then sat down with my laptop for Alina to decide what music she wanted on it. She was getting more and more excited as we were about to connect it to the PC to synchronise it, only to find out the shop had supplied the wrong cable connection. The shop is now closed. In Belarus, it’s different to the UK. In the UK when you buy something like this it’s in a sealed box. It’s different here, you buy the one on display, they don’t have and can’t afford to have lots in stock. So first they show it works, then get the box, cables and instructions, unfortunately none of us noticed the different connection. Vladimar, Alinas father is going to take it back today to change the cable, it’s just means Alina doesn’t have it for her bus ride to Germany. She was extremely disappointed but didn’t complain, she now has it to look forward to when she gets home.


Today, after returning to Minsk, we visited the Children’s Cancer Hospital again. I’ve said it before, every time I come here it never gets any easier.


The photo below shows a little boy has had his head cut open from ear to ear with surgery to a tumour, the scar is quite visible and is healing well, but if you look carefully you’ll see he’s had surgery yet again with a fresh scar over is head. I didn’t get many smiles from him, just the occasional grin, but after what he’s going through, I don’t think I could have expected any more.

The picture below is from a ‘box’, the tiniest room you could ever imagine. Inside, there’s a child, there were six of these rooms. Each one has a window with an intercom system. Children with serious conditions will spend up to a month in here with no contact outside apart from via the intercom. Their mother has a stool to sit on. Pictures from friends are stuck to the window. There’s no room to stand up, they have to stay in bed the whole time. It’s hard to imagine how they must feel. A translator from one of my previous visits to Belarus was telling me how bad it is. She spent three weeks in one of these rooms and said she hated every minute.

Today, in the hospital I came across some extremely distressing situations. I’m taken around every ward by Elina, a specialist who I met the very first time in Belarus. She was explaining through my translator the conditions of each child. Many who could not walk or stand as they had serious spinal problems. This girl below has the same condition.

One girl was back in hospital for the fourth time with Leukaemia, each time it had been cured but kept returning. She had spent a total of nearly three years of her life in hospital, she’s only about 16 years old.

I think the story that hit me most since I’ve been here was a little boy whose mother kept wiping his mouth as he kept dribbling blood. He didn’t smile, had no facial expressions at all, just lay there motionless. Outside the room I asked Elina what his condition was. She explained he’s from Ukraine, both his mother and father have AIDS, this little boy, about four years old also has AIDS, if that wasn’t bad enough, he now has Leukaemia. My heart sank, I didn’t know what to say, with effort I can normally control my emotions during my time in the hospital here, but this time my eyes filled up with tears. I had to sit down for five mins before we carried on.

Since I’ve been in Belarus I’ve performed 34 shows, 18 orphanages, 8 hospitals, 6 schools, 2 concerts. This is exactly why I came here, to make as many children smile as possible. All it takes is a little time, to create that magical smile on a child’s face, giving them an opportunity to forget about their troubles for just a short time, priceless!

What I didn’t expect was for all the families I’ve been staying with to arrange many excursions to various places during my visit here. I’m so grateful, but extremely exhausted. I expected to be working every day and then to return to my accommodation to rest ready for the next day. But that hasn’t happened, I’ve been on the go constantly for the last three and a half weeks without a chance to actually rest. While I’ve had an absolutely amazing time, I’m now looking forward to a few days in my Minsk hotel to actually rest a little. I have been made so welcome here, if you’ve never been to Belarus, and have an opportunity to come here any time, I promise you would be made so welcome, Belarusian people certainly know how to welcome their guests.

Well I’m now going to my room for a rest and a good nights sleep ready for another day tomorrow. Once again, keep smiling, look at the smiles on the children below, if that doesn’t put a smile on your face I’ll eat my hat.

Best wishes,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

PS: More photo’s to come in a day or two.

Billy's Diary Entry by himself, hurrah

Wey hey! I’ve found a connection at last. I’m actually staying at Yuri’s (my driver) house. I’ll tell you more about Yuri and his wife Ludmilla in a while. He has internet, although it’s a dial up connection so I can’t upload any pictures as it takes far too long.

Thank you to Clive (Emazdad the magician) for updating you. Unfortunately there were no connections at all in the areas I’ve been. On many of the streets in villages, or I should say dirt tracks with huge potholes everywhere, you rarely see any cars, just horse and carts and many elderly people sat on benches outside their homes relaxed in the sunshine. You see chickens and goats everywhere, I’ve seen people taking their cows for a walk, elderly ladies travelling miles on pushbikes, although at a walking pace. The difference from main towns to outside villages is amazing. You only have to turn into off a main road to think you were travelling a 100 years back in time.

So what have I been doing? WOW, I have been very busy, so far I have performed 27 shows in 17 days. I’ve been to Minsk, Divin, Kobrin, Luninets, Gomel and Bobruskj. I have two more towns to visit, Mogilov and back to Minsk. But for four days I’ll be here in Bobruskj.

On one day alone, I had 4 shows, three in one hospital on three different levels for about 25 children in each, and then to another hospital for another show for approx 60 children. We also went back to the second hospital the following day as well as an orphanage.

My favourite show by far has to be at a special needs school. The atmosphere was fantastic. These children/young adults were aged from about 6 to 20 years old. They were so happy to see us, after talking to their school director, this is the first time they have ever had anything like this at their school.

I’ve got so many photos which I wish I could upload, but as the connection is slow, I’ll have to wait before uploading them. So many smiles, and unfortunately so many sad faces. I’ve started putting together my DVD with my favourite pictures, and each time I watch it back, it brings tears to my eyes. When you watch it, you’ll understand.

Yuri and Ludmilla have 16 children living in their house. They’ve adopted these children, apart from one, their own son. Their house is a five bedroom property with every available space made to good use. Their children are fantastic, so well behaved. They all seem to get along well, play together and all help around the house.

At the orphanage we went to yesterday, came four of the children they’ve adopted. I asked Yuri how they managed to choose the children they’ve adopted, because when you see all 60 of them in this orphanage, aged from 3 to 6 years, you want to take every single one home. It’s so sad when you think of the fact they have no parents. But, after being shown around the orphanage, I immediately realise they are so happy, and this particular orphanage has more facilities than any other I’ve seen. They even have a small swimming pool, about the size of 6 baths, with a slide and many pool toys to play with.

We left the Gomel region a few days ago, one of the worst contaminated areas of Belarus. Gomel is about an hour or two from Chernobyl. I’m told by officials here that they cannot cure the problem of the contamination in Belarus in our lifetime, but they are now learning how to live with the conditions. What helps and what doesn’t, what they can eat and what they can’t, what the can grow and what not to grow etc etc.

Yesterday, in the Gomel region, I had a meeting with a top government official in the government buildings and was presented with a book on the history of Gomel, written also in English as well as Russian, a plaque with the Gomel coat of arms, a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates. They explained they wished to thank me for my work in making so many children smile in Belarus. I was choked, how good is this!

On May 17th I have my biggest show ever in Belarus. In the morning we visited an orphanage for a few hours and in the afternoon I’m told I’m performing at a concert. I expected it to be the same as a concert the previous day with about 60 people, how wrong could I be, and unfortunately I wasn’t quite prepared for it either. At every show I’ve done, I’ve taken my small speaker, which is perfect for up to about 200 people, I then connect an Ipod to control the music.

We turn up and I suddenly notice there seems to be many people walking the same direction. When we enter backstage, I realise this isn’t a small ‘normal’ show I’ve been performing for the past month. This theatre holds well over a 1000 people with 3 tears of seats. This time, I’m a small part of a huge variety show with mostly dancers, as well as professional singers. The show lasted for four hours, I’m to perform 10 mins in that time. Performing the show wasn’t a problem for me, I was actually really excited, the bigger the audience, the big the ‘buzz’ you get during the show. My problem was my music.

My small speaker wasn’t enough to cover the first few rows, let along the whole theatre. So we speak to the music director who escorts us to his office with various music to choose from. I chose something which sounded good for my type of show.

The whole show was mainly dancers, mostly children, but very very professional. In between the dance acts were professional singers. My 10 mins are just before all the acts return to the stage for their final thanks. In the program, I’m billed as ‘Billy Wiz the magician, our special guest from England.’

It’s time, I’m introduced, walk on stage with a huge pile of balloons mostly ready made with just a few additions to add during my act. My translator stands to the right of the stage while I announce that I need eight helpers from the audience. So I go down into the audience and pick the first eight hands I see raised, but back on the stage to the amusement of the audience, I have ten, so have to politely ask two to return to their seats, I chose the tallest two.

The music starts and the show is first class fun. The audience were laughing and clapping, all the dancers and singers backstage were in the wings watching, I had a great time.

When my act is finished, I’m presented on stage with a cuddly toy and box of chocolates. I’m told that the cuddly toy is to remind me of my time in Belarus and of today’s show. Off stage, I’m also given a bottle of vodka and thanked again by the shows director.

I’m hoping to get a copy of some of the show as it was on Belarus TV, I’m also trying to get copies from the national press that were there.

I’m beginning to have a small problem, I’ve been given so many gifts from everywhere we go that I’m going to struggle to take it all home. Most of what I’ve been given has been made by the children in the orphanages and schools. Pictures, hand made flowers, chocolates, books, champagne, vodka as well as so much more. And EVERY SINGLE ONE is priceless.

Today is another great day. Tomorrow I have a day off before I travel back to the UK in ten days time.

I could talk and talk and talk about my experiences here, there is so much I want to say. But I will save some more for my next diary enter.

Until then, Keep smiling, I am, as well as shedding a few tears here and there.

Best wishes,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy Text update by Emazdad

Billy's Texted me again, still no internet connection,

Hi mate. Just finished my 21st show . On our way to next town called Bobruskj now. Did a show yesterday for a special needs school, a brilliant show. Just been presented with a gift from a top official at Gomel government offices for my work in Belarus. Unfortunately still no connections to the net. Speak soon.

Billy Update, by Text

Hello everyone, Emazdad again, unfortunately Billy still can't get a connection, but he's updating me with brief texts, so I'll copy and paste them here so you can all see what he's up too. So over to Billy

Hi mate. On our way to next village, 6 hour drive, from west to east Belarus. Shows are going well. Been eating loads. After every show they have been putting out food for us, not always good but have to be polite and eat it. Still no web connections. Hope alls well there. Cheers

Billy Update by Emazdad

Hello everyone, not Billy this time, it's Emazdad posting on Billy's behalf.

Like all of you I'm keen to find out what my mate Billy's been up to, This evening he texted me requesting I post on his blog explaining why he hasn't updated it as much as he'd hoped.

Unfortunatly he's in the middle of nowhere, and can't get a web connection anywhere and so can't update his diary, as soon as he can get connected he'll update us with his travels so far..

He's asked me to say He's very tired, both physically and emotionally, but at the same time having a great time bringing huge smiles to the children's faces.

I'm sure we all wish him well, Keep up the great work Mate

Emazdad.

Billy's Diary entry No.6

I’ve been picked up today again by Alexey and we head of for a 30 min drive to the Children’s Cancer hospital in Minsk. I feel like I know this place so well now, this is the 5th time I’ve been here. Every time I visit is just as difficult as the last.

Try and imagine standing in front a child trying to make him or her smile, when all you can see is the scar from one ear across the top of her head to the other ear. Yes, in the photo below, that’s exactly what this poor little girl has gone through.

So you stand in front of her, making a balloon, doing silly things to make her smile, and at the same time you’re trying your best to fight back the tears and hurt from showing in your face. When we left this room I had to wait before entering the next, just to try and compose myself again, ready to enter with a smile. This is so hard at times, but the reward is so worth it to see a little happiness show in their faces.

This little boy (below) and his mother were really excited when I walked in, they recognised me from the last time I was here, YES, a year ago. I asked how long he had been in hospital now, the answer was 15 months, and still unsure when he’ll be well enough to go home. I’ve been looking through all my photos from last year to try and find a picture of him, but couldn’t find any. I would have liked to have printed it and given it to him at the end of this month when I return to the hospital again.

We spent another whole day here, every single minute was a valuable one for me. I’m looking forward to coming back, I’ll be here one more time on this tour the day before I fly home.

Below are some more of today’s photos. I’ll be taking hundreds during the tour, so please come back to my diary soon. Tomorrow I leave for a 5 hour drive to Divin region. I have no idea if I’ll get any connections to the internet while in that area, but I’ll certainly try my best to find one and upload more information.

Keep Smiling,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's diary Entry No.6

Ok, I’ve managed to find a WIFI connection in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. I’m only in Minsk until Sunday so I’m not sure if or when I’ll manage to get another connection.

Tomorrow I’m spending the whole day at the children’s cancer hospital. Five floors for children only with all kinds of illnesses such as brain tumours, cancer of the thyroid as well as many more types of cancer. I’ll post some more pictures on here tomorrow night from the hospital. Make sure you have a box of tissues ready tommorw.

Back to today, I was picked up this morning from Alexey, my guide and translator in Minsk. First he took me to see a traditional village, very interesting showing me the way of life from years gone by in Belarus. Although much of it is the history, Alexey informs me there are many places around the villages that still live the same way now.

Next we went to orphanage number six. As I’ve said before in my posts, the orphanages do not have names, just numbers. I get the impression that the Belarusian government do not want to acknowledge they’re here. The orphanages seem to be hidden away from public view.

I’ve been to this orphanage before, it’s great that the children recognise me when I arrive. I put on a show for the older children – the younger ones, 3 and 4 year olds sleep in the afternoon. I had about 25 children aged approx 5 to 9 years, eyes wide open enjoying the magic as well as the balloon models. After the show, the children went back to their rooms with the teachers (not sure if they’re called teachers) while I pack up the show.

Alexey and I then go around all the rooms escorted by a little boy showing us where to go, who seemed really proud that it was his job to escort us. After entering each room, we’re greeted with huge smiles from the children. It’s now their turn to receive a balloon model and ‘Billy Wiz’ postcard which they treasure as if it was priceless. I make sure that every child has a balloon as well as some of the teachers, before moving to the next room.

The younger child have now woke up. So we head of to their room, my heart sank at the smiling expressions on their faces as we entered, some of them also recognised me from the last time I was here, a year ago. These are my favourite age group in the orphanage. My heart fills with hurt when I think of the fact they have no family of their own. They've done nothing to deserve being abandoned in life. I’m in tears again as I’m writing this, when I’m with the kids, I somehow switch off, but in the evening when I type or write about my day, the reality sinks in.

So, tomorrow is another day, I’ll have more photos and information again tomorrow night. And hopefully, I’ll get more connections while in Belarus to share my diary with you.

Keep smiling, just take another look at the smiles on these kids faces, I’m sure you’ll understand why I have such a passion to be here.

Best wishes,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's Diary entry No.5

Well, today's the day. A year in the planning and I'm getting ready to go. Couldn't sleep last night, too excited. Up at 4am.

I've had huge problems trying to sort out my luggage. I have two large suitcases, one is full to the brim with magic and balloons, the other is half full with magic and balloons and a small section for clothing and essentials. The trouble is, the airlines allow 20kg, I've paid in advance for an extra 20kg, giving me a total of 40kg. After packing everything I needed, it came to about 55kg. I've had to take out most of my clothing leaving just the basics and also take out many of the balloons, I think I did over estimate how many balloons I would require. I've gone from 12,000 down to about 8,000, hoping that's going to be enough. So I've now got the luggage down to about 45kg, still overweight, but I'm hoping the airlines might let me off, if not I'll have get my wallet out. :(

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to get an internet connection in Belarus, or be able to get to an internet cafe to upload information about my tour. Please keep popping back here to see my progress. Hopefully, there will be many photos too.

Don't forget, tickets are now on sale for this years variety show in August. They're selling fast and will guarantee to sell out before the date, so no tickets will be available on the day. For ticket sales, please visit http://www.makeasmile.co.uk/

While I'm in Belarus, my wife Jill is still taking enquiries and party bookings for when I return. Please call her on 01752 519529. Tell her her husband sends his love, I'll miss her loads while away.

I should be contactable via email, any comments or questions about the tour, please email me at magic@billywiz.biz I won't be able to answer any magic show enquiries via email as I won't have my diary.

Best wishes, :) Keep smiling, :) I will with these kids in Belarus. :)

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's Diary Entry No.4

An update on the planning for my tour. After speaking to my main contact Alexey in Belarus, the planning is going really well.

I was going to hire a car to drive around Belarus, but I now have a driver for the month. Yuri runs a foster home in Bobrusjk, fostering 18 children with his wife Ludmilla. He has offered to drive me around. I'll then pay the cost of the fuel, and the original cost of hiring the car (approx £500) will go to Yuri, this will be a huge help towards his family.

Yuri has many contacts around Belarus so will always have somewhere to stay in the many towns and villages we visit. I have asked if it's possible to stay in the same places as Yuri, I will then give those families my money rather than any hotels.

I now have approx 30 shows booked for orphanages and schools. I'll be visiting at least 3 hospitals.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a WiFi connection while I'm there, but I will be able to get to an Internet cafe from time to time. So please keep popping back here to read the latest information with photos of the various orphanages and hospitals etc.

The balloons, approx 10,000, are already packed. The magic is boxed up and ready. I also have 1000 'Billy Wiz' postcards, 1000 badges, colouring pictures, small magic tricks, all ready to give away to the children to make their magical experience the best!

It not long now, only two weeks to go, to say I'm really excited would be an understatement.

My next post will be from somewhere in Belarus.

Best wishes,

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's Diary Entry No.3

I've Just received 1000 postcards with a magical photo and the words 'Billy Wiz Magician' written in Russian. The first time I went Belarus I was lucky enough to have 500 postcards donated by http://www.printing.com/, my local printers. This time I've designed and ordered more to last a whole month.

The children over there love to receive these postcards, but most of all, they love to get them autographed as well.

I'm also designing a poster to send to all the orphanages etc that I'll be visiting to let the children know I'm coming, just a little extra to get them excited.

With a badge machine in my office, there will be many hours spent making a few 1000 badges for the children, again, it might be something small, but to these children, it's a precious little souvenir.

I'm always looking for new ideas, I'm thinking off taking magical colouring pictures for the children to colour in. I'd like to take a few hundred packs of small crayons or colouring pencils with me to give away. If you have any contacts in the stationary business who could offer anything like this, please email me graeme@makesamile.co.uk Many thanks.

Keep Smiling :)
Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's Diary Entry No.2

Well, the planning is going really well. I've spoken to Alexey, my contact in Belarus. Alexey works for the UK based charity Chernobyl Children's Life Line and is in charge of all their admin etc in Belarus. On my previous visits, he has helped on many occasions with translating.

Alexey has been helping me to organise a schedule while in Belarus.

At the moment, during the 28 day tour, I'll be visiting:
14 orphanages
3 hospitals - 1 of them twice
2 schools
1 foster home - 16 children are fostered at this home

I'll also be traveling for up to 8 hours a day for six days between towns and villages.

After performing a show at the orphanages, I'll then be spending the whole day mixing with the children making all of them balloons as well as trying to talk to them in their own Russian language.

My favourite orphanage from previous visits is 'Orphanage Number 6'. One thing that quite surprised me in Belarus is the fact that they don't have names, just numbered 1, 2, 3 etc. They also seem to be hidden away from the main highways.

Below are pictures from my favourite orphanage.

The areas of Belarus I'll be visiting are:

• Minsk (Capital)
• Divin
• Luninec
• Gomel
• Brobrujsk
• Mogil'ov
• Minsk

Best wishes - Keep Smiling :)

Graeme (Billy Wiz)

Billy's Diary Entry No.1

Hi, and welcome to the very first entry to my 'blog' or what I prefer to call . . . . my diary.

Why Belarus? Please let me explain why I have such a passion for making the children of Belarus laugh and smile.

It started about 6 years ago when I performed my first show for the Plymouth link of Chernobyl Children's Life Line. The Link bring approximately 16 children to Plymouth, every year, to live with host families for four weeks in the summer. Being here can prolong their lives for as much as two years, breathing fresh air and eating fresh food. For the past 6 years I have performed balloon modelling and magic for these children at their leaving party.

In April 2006, for the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster, I visited Belarus. I took a huge bag of balloons and visited orphanages, hospitals, schools and villages performing balloon modelling shows. I didn't expect to get so hooked. Making these under privileged children smile really is priceless. So much so that I went back again the following October and again the following April.

I'm now planning a 28 day tour, visiting the more deprived and contaminated areas of Belarus. The planning for my tour started as soon as I came back from my last visit in April 2006.

In May 2007, with the help of very good friend and fellow magician Clive (Emazdad) Hemsley, the 'Make A Smile Appeal' was launched. The appeal was set up with the aim to raise £5000 for a 28 day tour. The target is to cover all costs such as air fares, hotels, transport, translators, visa's and of course, 1000's of balloons.

The official launch of the appeal was in the form of a variety show at Marjons drama theatre in Plymouth. The show was a huge success and raised £1071 for the appeal. Tickets sold out within six weeks. The tickets for the 'Belarus Spectacular Children's Variety Show 2008' are now available, but don't wait too long, they won't take long to sell out.


Since the appeal was launched, with the help of many organisations as well as individuals, we've now managed to hit our £5000 target. We're now starting to raise funds for the next tour. For further details, please visit the official Make A Smile website.

This is the first entry to my Make A Smile diary, but it certainly won't be the last. Please subscribe to my diary to be kept informed of any future updates. I'm hoping to find available internet access while on my tour in May so I can update photos and my diary.

Best wishes . . . . . Keep Smiling,

Graeme (Billy Wiz Magician)