American Friends of "For Survival"
Kyiv, Ukraine and Washington, D.C.
Winter of 2002-2003

A group of Americans living in Kyiv, Ukraine has been working with a Ukrainian charity "For Survival," to provide monthly direct cash supplements to impoverished Ukrainian pensioners. Your monthly contribution of $10 would make an enormous difference to a poor elderly person in Ukraine. With your money, someone who is surviving on bread and macaroni or begging on the street could buy medicine or vegetables, or replace a worn-out winter coat, or pay a heating bill.

When you contribute to "For Survival," every cent of your gift goes to a pensioner. We wire the money to the American volunteers in Kyiv who work with "For Survival" to screen applicants, distribute funds, and keep the books.

BACKGROUND ON "AMERICAN FRIENDS OF "FOR SURVIVAL"

Ukraine: With a population of 50 million in an area the size of France, Ukraine is the second largest country in the former Soviet Union. Since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has been hit by economic catastrophe. The nation's gross domestic product fell 60% from 1991-1998, and unemployment has been estimated at 50%.

Ukraine's elderly: From a monthly pension of as little as $10, Ukraine's elderly and disabled must buy food, clothes, shelter and medicine. Ten dollars does not go far when a loaf of bread costs 20 cents, meat at least 80 cents a pound, and milk about 60 cents a gallon. Although health care is nominally free, the central government has less than 1/4 of a cent per person annually to spend on it. Ukrainians are routinely expected to buy all medicines, even surgical supplies and food for hospital stays. Deaths for lack of funds to purchase simple medicines are not uncommon.

American Friends of "For Survival": In 1996 a group of American living in Kyiv decided they wanted to make a real and immediate difference in the lives of Ukrainians. They teamed up with "For Survival," a seven year-old Kyiv-based civic organization made up of older women, pensioners themselves, who are tireless fighters for Kyiv's elderly.

"For Survival" has organized classes in basic first aid for the elderly. They have delivered meals to the homebound and have collected and distributed other humanitarian aid from foreign and domestic sources. For the last five years, "For Survival" has also distributed monthly cash supplements collected from the American community in Kyiv.

Volunteers verify eligibility for the program by visiting the homes of applicants and confirming the level of their pensions. Priority is given to those without family to help them. "For Survival" keeps a waiting list of applicants for this program. The American friends of "For Survival" meet at least monthly with the charity's director to review income and expenses.