Support Ukraine

Support Ukraine

ASSISTANCE TO ORPHANAGES CONTINUES IN UKRAINE
Cooperative Program of the UOC of the USA and the CCRF

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
South Bound Brook, New Jersey, February 3, 2004

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOC of the USA) has conducted a cooperative program of assistance with the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) in adopting two orphanages in Zaluchia and Znamianka, Ukraine, for the past three years. The CCRF is widely acknowledged in Ukraine by governmental and charitable organizations and here in the Ukrainian Diaspora as one of the most effective and trustworthy aide organizations operating in and for the benefit of Ukraine.

Founders of the CCRF, Dr. Zenon and Nadia Matkiwsky, along with Ukraine In-Country Director for CCRF activity, Olena Welhasch, met recently with Archbishop Antony and Consistory Treasurer, Emil Skocypec, to report on the progress made to the orphanages over the past year with the grants in aid provided by the UOC of the USA.

Archbishop Antony, President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA presents a check to Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky in presence of Emil Skosypec, Hieromonk Daniel, OPR Director, Mrs. Nadia Matkiwsky and Olena Welhasch
(Click on image to enlarge it)

The Church has been committed to the orphanage adoption program for at least five years and judging by the support we have received, that commitment will go on for many years to come - particularly when the young college and high school students are eager to travel to Ukraine to work with the children on summer vacation missions organized by Church's Offices of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Missions and Christian Charity. During the meeting in mid-January the UOC of the USA made another grant totaling $23,000.

As in the past a principal part of the effort has been concentrated on renovating the buildings where the children God has given to us live. In 2004 approximately a quarter of the grant will go towards replacing the windows in the aging buildings. The largest portion of the grant, however, will go to significant programs to improve the quality of the children's mental and physical life.

The funds from UOC of the USA will equip a physical therapy room in the Zaluchia Orphanage and staff it with two full-time physical therapists. Further, funds will be used to sponsor three full-time teachers with training in relating to children with special needs and also two liaison personnel who will serve under the auspices of the CCRF Kyiv office to provide better observation of how our programs are progressing.

The UOC of the USA expresses its deepest gratitude to all those who have contributed thus far to this work in Christ's Name.

For further information please contact Hieromonk Daniel, Director, Office of Public Relations, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, P.O. Box 495, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880, 732 356 0090, FatherVZ@aol.com, http://www.ukrainianorthodoxchurchusa.org.