Blog #4

April 9, 2019

Many of the medical requests we receive from individuals are from seniors.  Requests for cancer surgery and chemotherapy, heart surgery, or cataract surgery are common.  Most of these can only be done in the larger centres such as Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia or Kiev.  Major surgeries can cost more than 100,000 uah ($5,000 CDN).  Pensions have increased slightly in recent years, but still a minimum pension now amounts to 1600 uah ($80 CDN).    In addition to the trauma of getting a diagnosis like cancer, these folks face the overwhelming task of raising the equivalent of 5 years’ entire pension for their medical care. 

 

But, as we know, medical needs are not limited to seniors.  Earlier this year we were made aware of premature twins, born at 24 weeks, now 18 months old.  They require specialized therapy available only in Lviv, some 1200 km from here.  The concerned parents were deeply grateful for the financial help Mennonite Centre provided for them.  This enabled them to access this treatment for their twins.  The doctor at the hospital was optimistic about their prognosis.

Speaking of children, kindergartens are always a delight to visit.  However, with educational reforms in the country, they too are feeling the squeeze.  Although more like the daycares that we are familiar with, these facilities accept children from about 1 year to age 6.  Until recently first grade was included in the kindergarten.  Now Grade 1 students have been shifted to the regular schools.  Stronger emphasis on more interactive learning also affects children at this level, 

and so better facilities and upgraded equipment are required.  The government does not provide the necessary funds.   This kindergarten in Tokmak has about 200 children, including some that require special speech therapy. Mennonite Centre helped pay for some new desks/tables and cupboards. For this we were treated with a short concert and a thank-you card made by the children.  Stop by our place in Gretna after we get back and we will gladly pass on their gratitude to you, the donors.

A few days ago Tima & Vika had supper with us.  We got to know Tima several years ago when he was completing his masters degree in agronomy.  Last fall he and Vika were married.  Presenting us with a picture of the Mennonite Centre she had done completely with beadwork (13,700 beads in 23 different colors!) they said: “We also like to give, not just receive.”

                 Apricot blossoms