BLOG # 3

April 2, 2019

After travelling extremely rough roads we were again privileged to meet with Father Peter in Melitopol.  His energy seems boundless and his love for people is contagious!  Recently his church began an after-school program, teaching life skills, offering tutoring services, and activities.  They continue to feed the homeless, and now also include seniors struggling to pay their expenses.  Some meals and diapers are provided for the homeless in the hospital. During spring break they were running a conference for 20 young people.  In commenting about the countless tasks, his comment was:  “Better to wear out, than to get rusty”.  A motto many of us could adopt!

We went to see the home of a very poor family that he was assisting with house repairs.  Mennonite Centre had helped with the purchase of the windows and doors.  The parents were extremely grateful!   Perhaps with a better home, some work for the father, and moral support, their life will improve.

Two years ago the Ukranian government began implementing educational reforms. The emphasis has been to change to an “interactive learning” approach.  Another emphasis has been to integrate children with disabilities and learning difficulties into regular classrooms.  We were invited to participate in a meeting with University instructors, classroom teachers, social service workers, and student teachers doing practicums.  They were discussing theories, as well as personal experiences.  Not only were they working with children, but very aware that families also need training and support, and that the attitudes in society need to change.  The challenges are huge, but we were pleased to hear about the direction they were going and tried to offer encouragement.  Mennonite Centre has provided assistance to several schools that are attempting to integrate inclusive programs.

Wednesday we also met with Viktor, a personal friend whom we got to know during our first term in Ukraine.  Here our knowledge of the German language enables us to visit with him without translation.  He just had his 79^th birthday, lives alone, and has no surviving family members.  He is always so appreciative of our visits, extremely hospitable, and loves to discuss spiritual truths and questions.

In the nearby village of Kutusovka (Petershagen), the former Mennonite Church has become a Care Home for seniors.  Lilli, the director, tries to provide excellent care for 12 women.  With rising living costs, this has become an increasing challenge.  The residents’ pensions are limited ($80 to $100 CDN per month) and the donor base for the care home has shrunk.  The residents need medications, some need diapers, and, of course, nutritious food is a necessity.  Mennonite Centre provides a monthly stipend together with the Benevolent Society, but with rising costs this needs to be increased.  

This past Sunday Ukraine had their presidential elections.  People appreciate the privilege to vote, to make a choice, although choosing from 39 candidates on the ballot was a challenge.  We walked to several polling stations in Molochansk just to observe and here in the village everything seemed to be proceeding in an orderly fashion.  A police patrol was present.  The results are not conclusive and so on April 21st there will be a run-off election between the 2 candidates that received the most votes.   We sense that people are somewhat anxious about the results.  What will the outcome be and how will life in Ukraine be affected?