BLOG # 5

April 16, 2019

Last week we spent 4 days in the Zaporizhzhia area visiting completed projects, and checking on new requests.  After many kilometers, some on very rough roads, we are always thankful to be safely home in Molochansk again.  We met many people who are dedicated to helping others and to improve life in their communities.

The Shiroke Community group, made up of 28 villages, has responded positively to the reforms initiated by the government.  A council of locally elected deputies working together to reform medical, educational, and social services has resulted in tangible hopefulness.  Instead of waiting for change, they have embraced the opportunity to take initiative. 

Several village groups invited us to meet with them and describe ways in which Canadian seniors volunteer.  That resulted in some enjoyable discussions around the table.  In the village of Maleshevka (Neuenburg) some of the women who enjoyed singing together decided to form a group and give concerts in different villages.  Instead of charging a ticket price they asked for donations to purchase hearing aids for children with hearing difficulties.  A second project they did was to buy some equipment for the local clinic.  After they told us about this, they got up and performed one of their musical numbers for us!  They obviously loved to perform.  This was a wonderful example of using their talents to serve others. 

In a second village, leaders became aware of the need for a laundromat.  Mennonite Centre purchased the machines, but volunteers prepared the room, and were in charge of supervising the use of the facility.  The most needy persons could use it free of charge and others would pay a minimal fee.

We were delighted to again observe the work at “Prometey”, a school  for children with autism and cerebral palsy.  The children are obviously comfortable in their surroundings and feel loved by their teachers.  Their enrollment continues to grow and they are now serving 120 children!  When they began 10 years ago, they had 2 small classes.  Their expertise is becoming known and has resulted in a waiting list.  Recently they have hired a psychologist to formally write up their philosophy and document their work.  They are receiving an increasing number of inquiries from  within Ukraine and abroad regarding their work.

It was wonderful to hear about the children who will be enrolled in a regular school class in fall.   Mennonite Centre continues to pay for their heating and transportation costs.      

A few years ago Nicolei and Irina, refugees from Crimea, began a new life in a village near Zaporizhzhia.  Their bee keeping operations have expanded to 24 hives.  The bees  survived the winter very well, a credit to Nicolei’s expertise in caring for his hives.  They are still working at establishing a better method of marketing the honey.  

They also sell fresh roses, harvesting up to 400 at peak times.  They have a buyer who picks them up at the farm.  Nicolei has found a way to keep them fresh longer by storing them in a small air-conditioned cellar.  In speaking with him, we realize his creative ability to solve problems and his extensive knowledge of beekeeping and horticulture.

Every day we walk by the home of Anatoly on the way to and from the Centre.  Anatoly is deaf and almost blind, in his nineties, and living alone.  He is always so friendly when he meets us.  Despite his limited vision he wanted us to admire the bright red tulips blooming in his immaculate yard.  We were moved by his kind gesture when he insisted on picking 5 lovely blooms to present to us!