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 

                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                     

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?

   

BLOG # 2

March  26,2019

Last week we were invited to the MCC meetings on peacebuilding and conflict resolution.  This was an opportunity for MCC’s various partners to learn and have fellowship with one another.  Mennonite Centre cooperates with MCC on several projects.   We appreciated this opportunity to meet and to learn from their workshop.  The well-known peace builder from Ireland, Joe Campbell, shared from his expertise, having devoted 25 years to peacebuilding in Ireland and other parts of the world.

Mennonite Centre purchased a blood analyzer for the lab in the Tokmak Intensive Care Hospital.  We met the director and his assistant who  expressed their gratitude and also explained some of the challenges they face in implementing the government medical reforms.Doctors’ salaries have improved substantially but it is still difficult to attract doctors to smaller centres with outdated equipment.  Many doctors are leaving for other countries.  The director was pleased that their hospital had qualified as an intensive care facility for the area. Acquiring equipment for laparoscopic surgeries would enable them to provide much better services.

The local sports school organized a program to encourage families to improve their physical fitness.  We attended a competition where several family units participated in timed events such as skipping, ball throwing, running, etc.  Scores were kept.  In the end all participants were awarded prizes for participation and a winner was announced.

Today delicious aromas are penetrating our office area.  Seniors  enjoying a lovely lunch prepared by our staff. The number of visitors seems to be increasing.  They enjoy the food and the fellowship and often continue their visits outside, enjoying the warmer spring weather.  Lunches are also sent home to shut-ins and poor families with many children.

The variety and scope of our projects are endless.  The challenge for FOMCU is always to determine the purpose and value of each project and how we can provide the most benefit to the local residents.  We want you, our donors, to know that your contributions are deeply appreciated.  

BLOG # 1  2019

Back to Ukraine

Even though it is hard to say good-bye to our children and grandchildren, we are always warmly welcomed by our friends and co-workers here in Ukraine.  Not only was the welcome warm, but also the weather.  Having come from a world of deep snow and blizzards, it is a treat to see green grass, swelling buds on trees, and early spring flowers.  We see people walking with rakes and hoes to their “dachas” (gardens).  Apparently some have already planted potatoes, in order to take advantage of the spring moisture.

We flew directly into Zaporoschye with Polish Airlines instead of to Dnepro, saving us one and half hours of additional travel by road.  Unfortunately they left one of our checked bags somewhere along the way and we had to pick it up 3 days later.

In the first 4 days at the office, we have already had many requests for assistance from schools for repairs, and pleas from individuals for medical help.   We are always impressed with the dedication of teachers and parents to look after the upkeep of their schools.  The government does not cover maintenance costs and so those are left up to the community.  Often Mennonite Centre helps pay for supplies while teachers and parents provide the labor.

Again we are seeing the insurmountable expense for individuals who need chemo treatments or surgeries.  Many have already exhausted all other possible resources for funding and then come to the Centre for help.  Just this morning we received the heartfelt thanks from a woman whose husband received funding for his third round of chemo.  We wish you, our donors, could have heard her expressions of gratitude.

Today we were invited to visit a school on the other side of the Molotschna River.  These are villages that originally belonged to the German Lutheran population.  Mennonite Centre had assisted this school with several projects in recent years, such as windows, small chairs for the Kindergarten, lighting, internet installation, and a dividing wall to facilitate two Kindergarten classes.  The principal proudly explained, in German, all the benefits to their school.  Students are taught German and English.  Then we were invited to a lovely lunch as their way of saying “Thank-you”.

Our seven week stay in Ukraine is quickly filling up with visits to check on various projects, those already completed as well as new requests for assistance.  We are also making plans for an annual Ukrainian Mennonite Centre board meeting, a legal requirement for registered charities in Ukraine. 

Blog # 6

April 17, 2018

Spring is advancing quickly here.  Many trees and shrubs are  dressed in white and we’re thankful that it is not snow.  The blossoms are filling the air with their perfume.   

We spent several days with Drs. Art & Marlyce Friesen visiting hospitals and other medical projects.  Reforms are being planned, beginning with Level 1 or primary care.  These began on April 1^st and will continue for the next 2 years.  These will be followed by reforms in levels 2 and 3.  Sadly, some of the changes that need to happen are not coming soon enough.  One hospital reported losing 7 doctors because the salaries are so low.  Professionals are leaving for other European countries and taking jobs there that are unrelated to their training because they can make a better living.  Unfortunately, young professionals are the people Ukraine needs to improve life here.

Dr. Irina served the people at the Mennonite Centre for many years, but she has now left for Italy.  We are pleased that Dr. Petrovna, a pediatrician, will be filling her position.  She has lived in Molochansk most of her life and is well known among the local people.

When we met with the chief doctor in the Shiroke Territorial Region there was a much more positive attitude towards the reforms.  We sensed a good working relationship between her and her nursing staff.  During our conversation they were all crowded into the doorway and      participating in the discussion.

When we visited the rehab unit in the Zaporizhzhye Oblast Hospital, we met several recently trained physiotherapists, eager to learn the most recent treatment procedures.  They were telling us of a training program being offered online followed by a practicum at a hospital in Lviv.  The instructors were from North America.   They were very interested, but the cost was prohibitive for them.  Mennonite Centre will pay the tuition for one student, who will then be qualified to teach the others.  Anya, a mother of a five-year old daughter, will receive this training.

Last night we had a wind-up barbecue with our staff.  We are always sorry we can’t communicate directly, but we treasure their friendships and are pleased that they support each other.  They appreciate that they are able to work at the Mennonite Centre and we value their services.

Our term in Ukraine is quickly coming to an end.   We are always saddened to bid farewell to our friends here.  Those connections have enriched our lives!  We are repeatedly told how the Mennonite Centre, supported by Canadians, has enriched theirs.   

Blog  # 5

April 9, 2018

SPRING HAS ARRIVED!

Spring in Molochansk is a welcome sight!  The early spring blossoms are appearing, even the bees are buzzing!  The tree buds are swelling and we are eagerly anticipating the sight of new green leaves.

Many seniors in this area are also anticipating that sight.  Mennonite Centre has purchased 1605 pairs of glasses since that project began for seniors.  Dr. Tatyana Krasovskya, an optometrist, comes to the Centre twice per month and examines 10 – 12 persons each time.  Another frequent request is for assistance for cataract surgery, a total of 19 last year.  The cost of this surgery has increased 75% in the last year! 

  Many of us have experienced the benefit of eye glasses or cataract surgery, but in Ukraine many seniors do not have funds for these services.  Your generosity enables Mennonite Centre to give the gift of sight to many people here.  We wish you could have heard the gratitude and excitement in the voice of the gentleman in the photo, with repeated expressions to the staff: “I can SEE you!  I can SEE you!”

There is a large Psychiatric Hospital in Molochansk with 170 patients at this time.  Many of them are dealing with alcoholism, a problem that has increased here since the war began.  Some are dealing with TB which is also on the increase.  During our visit we checked out some kitchen equipment, which they were asking us to replace.  We also distributed packages of Easter treats, prepared by our staff, to give out to the patients.  Many were very appreciative.

Sergei Lokotkov is the director of the Tokmak Music School and of the Rhapsody Choir.  When we spoke to him last year regarding the territorial changes that are underway in Ukraine, he was quite discouraged, fearing that the local music schools would be closed.  Since then he has become involved in the Ministry of Culture in Kiev.  This enables him to have a better understanding of what is happening at the government level, as well as influence some of the decision making. He is now much more optimistic that the Music Schools will continue.  No doubt there will be changes in the way the curriculum is set up, but as he said, when we get too comfortable in the way we do things, it is time to make changes. They expect to admit adults as well, and are planning classes for choirs, an orchestra, as well as English language studies.  We have always been impressed with the quality of instruction we have observed here in the music schools.  Promotion of the Arts is an important component in building a nation.   

This past week we also received a visit from Dr. Troyan.  Mennonite Centre has aided his hospital in Vladovka for many years.  He did not seem optimistic, however, about the territorial changes and how they would affect the medical field.  There is no mistaking who has entered the building when Dr. Troyan is around, because when he speaks his huge booming voice fills the room.   His voice may sound intimidating but he has a soft heart for the needy persons in his community.  He came to the Mennonite Centre requesting medical help for a 50-year old man who had fled from Crimea.  He was extremely poor, lacked official documents, and needed hip surgery.

  A second request was for a young couple whose 2-year old child was suffering from a broken hip.  The family had very little income and desperately needed help.

This weekend we celebrated Easter in Ukraine.  At midnight on Saturday evening Orthodox believers gather for the Easter service, bringing their paska and eggs to be blessed by the priest.  The embroidery in the photo features the Russian words for the joyous greeting of Easter:  “Christ has risen.  He has risen indeed!”  This was a gift of gratitude from a teacher who was assisted by the Mennonite Centre.

The Easter service in the local Mennonite Church featured a drama and songs of praise from the youth group and their leaders.  Many times during the morning the traditional Russian Easter greeting was exchanged.  We were inspired when during our long afternoon walk in the village, we were able to exchange this greeting with some of the people we met.

Blog # 4

April 3, 2018

ZAPORIZHZHYE AREA VISITS

We spent several days in the Zaporizhzhye area visiting various people for whom Mennonite Centre has provided assistance.

Our meeting with a Seniors’ art and dance group was quite delightful!  They meet biweekly for art and dance instruction, and, of course, fellowship.  Our Centre assisted with art supplies and some costuming.  We were warmly welcomed by the group, who wanted to hear our personal stories and about our connection to the Mennonites.  They responded with questions and stories of their own.  We appreciated the emotional support they were providing for each other, such as for a gentleman who had just lost his wife and towards one of the women dealing with a cancer diagnosis.  Tatyana, their leader, a believer, cared genuinely for these people and had established a very positive environment.

On Saturday we drove out to a nearby village to visit the Prodnikov family.  They escaped from Crimea during the Russian takeover, leaving behind their property and many possessions.  He is a bee farmer and generous Canadian donors have provided the family with bee hives, assistance to purchase land and renovate a small house.  They produced 200 kilos of
honey last year from 16 newly established hives and hope to expand their operation.  They are still struggling with finding a better market for their honey as well as for the roses they are growing on their land.  Mennonite Centre assisted with medications for their 3-year old
son who was suffering from a severe rash and allergic reactions.
He is doing much better now.  Unfortunately, the financial assistance provided by the Ukrainian government for Internally Displaced Persons is now being clawed back, adding another challenge to a family trying to establish a new life for themselves.

The next day we observed a swimming class at the Zaporizhzhye Classical University.  One of the instructors was a former Olympic athlete who had participated in Athens and Beijing.  She, together with another teacher, is dedicated to working with physically challenged children.  Mennonite Centre had provided some equipment for use in the pool.  We were interested to observe Nikolai, a young boy who had lost both legs from the knee down and part of one arm due to a grenade explosion.  That accident had hit the news and so Olga Rubel, Mennonite Centre’s manager in Zaporizhzhye, had gone to the hospital to inquire how we could help.   Mennonite Centre paid for some of the initial treatment in Ukraine.  Following that, with funding from other sources, he has received prosthesis for both legs in Canada. He loves to swim and is progressing very well, participating in local and state competitions.  Perhaps someday he will compete in the Para Olympics!

We met Yuri and Natasha on Sunday morning.  Both former drug addicts, they now share the love of God with the homeless, drug addicts, and the

terminally ill.  They feed about 200 people three times per week of which Mennonite Centre covers about half the cost.  Their charity:  “Love without Boundaries” is appropriately named.  We have met few people who follow Jesus’ teaching and example of love as closely as this couple!

Through our work at the Mennonite Centre we meet many people facing various challenges.  We also get to see people responding in helpful ways, often with the financial assistance of agencies such as ours.  Thanks for your part in meeting needs in Ukraine.