Ministry News
My father is no more.
How many times have I heard an orphan say that to me? “My father is no more.” It’s a terrible expression, but perhaps it’s better than saying, “Papa is dead.” Or, “My dad deserted us.” Or even worse, “Daddy abandoned us, forgot about us and has a new family now.” For the hundreds of children we minister to in Ukraine, almost ALL of them have suffered the loss of their earthly father one way or another, and it is absolutely crushing.
Kompas Park Needs Your Help!
Visitors say that Kompas Park summer camp is a slice of heaven on earth! Its fields, assembly hall, dining room, beach area and bunk rooms hold precious memories for campers and volunteers alike. Unfortunately, due to the risks of COVID-19, this summer, the gates of Kompas Park will be closed. Since the camps have all been cancelled, KP has been hit hard financially. Will you support them during this time?
Inna & Lena’s Grocery Delivery
One month ago, Ukraine closed its borders and will continue to be on quarantine through May 11. Since that time, all of the children in the orphanage were sent “home” to their guardians and are supposed to be distance learning for the remainder of the school year. We asked how can we help the children? The answer was clear and swift – bring food. So, Inna and Lena leapt into action, bought groceries, made up food parcels and received today’s list of the families that needed them immediately.
Marina's New Design on Life
One of our orphan graduates wants to give you an update! You may remember Marina was in the hospital about 3 years ago when she had plastic surgery on her neck and legs to remove painful scars she has carried since childhood. She has some great news to tell now!
Caring for the Sick and Vulnerable
Over the years, as we have cared for orphans, families, and their communities we’ve encountered an overwhelming and often unmet need. Many orphans face pressing medical needs, including emergency surgeries and life-changing procedures, but they lack the funds to pay for them. While the Ukrainian government may promise free medical care for all, the realities of rampant corruption, poverty, and subpar medical facilities make this promise fall drastically short.
Continued Renewal for a Widow and Her Orphaned Family
About three years ago, we began telling you the story of Ananda, Hima, and their mother Valeria. Ananda and Hima live and go to school at the orphanage or “Internat” we support. Read the story of this family's renewal in their community.
A Miraculous Dinner
A few months ago, 21 of us gathered around a table in the village of Khutory at our Boys’ Pre-Independence Home, “Greenfield”. Over the meal, we reflected on the miracle of God building a safe home for teenage orphan graduates in Ukraine.
Ukraine: Orphans, A Disturbing Situation
Right now, there are over 650 institutions housing 70-110,000 orphans in Ukraine, with the majority of them being “social orphans” who were abused or abandoned by their parents and were placed in the care of others. In Ukraine, the orphanage, known as an Internat, is a mixed boarding school for orphans and children from families living in poverty and is a catch-all for children of every background and need.
UPDATE! Vlad’s thankful journey – from Businessman to Builder
Eighth grade can be tough – especially if you’re a lanky 17-year-old, who can’t really read or write. Coming from a broken home of alcoholics, violence and poverty, Vlad arrived at the orphanage not ready to learn, but to survive.
There’s no place like home… especially for an Orphan
Kompas Park: a magical land of strange costumes, endless mosquito bites, injury-inducing games that you know you shouldn’t play but you do anyway, (speaking for a friend...) kids screaming at you for the 100th time to jump on the trampoline, and you have to explain “I’m too old now” in broken Ukrainian, scattered belongings, sunshiny days, tearful goodbyes, and where time moves much faster than normal. There is truly no place like it.
Unloved boys do not Grow
Depending on which “official statistics” you believe, there are between 70,000 – 100,000 orphans in Ukraine living in about 750 institutions. This is a huge number. The Ukrainian government is doing its best to reduce it and is in the process of developing a foster care system.
But life is not about numbers; rather the children behind those numbers. Children who need our help. Children like Andrei.
Elevate Scholar Update!
How is school going? That’s a great question and one that I am asked frequently since I left Shpola orphanage school and started high school at Sophia School as an Elevate Scholar. Well, by nature I am very lazy, and I got used to doing very little schoolwork at the orphan school. Even though I was the top pupil in my class, I realize now that I have huge gaps in my education and there are many subjects I need to catch up on. Now, I am a senior at Sophia School, and even though the dear principal Natalia tries to motivate me, I have not had much success. So, I decided that I can’t do this on my own, and I prayed about it and today I received an answer.
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