Food For Orphans – Ukraine
Priazovje Orphanage in the Dnepropetrovsk’s state of Ukraine (south of the capital city – Kiev) started up privately in 2002 with 25 children. Up to this year it has been home to 37 boys and girls. The children range in age from 3 years to 18 years. About one half of them have been abandoned by their parents or have been removed from their parents by the government. The others are true orphans. There are strict regulations that privately run orphanages in the Urkraine must adhere to, yet they do not receive and government funding. They must raise all the funds to feed and clothe the children plus ensure their education. Further to that, the government determines how mnay children the orphanage must take.
In comparison, state-run orphanages release children at the age of 16 years. Many of them do not have sufficient vocational training to sustain a job. the statistics for these children leading successful lives that contribute to society are dismal. Many of them fall into prostitution or drugs and alchohol. Many suffer mental illnesses and there is a high rate of suicide amoung them.
The Priazovje Orphanage provides a very loving and stable environment for the children in their care until they are 18 years of age and they prepare them with a number of skills and trades before they leave.
This “Food for Orphans” was one of our global projects in our 2008 Rice Raiser Campaign. We were able to provide funds for their food to last them about five months…or so we thought. In actuality, as a result of the global food and fuel cost increases this past winter and spring, that money was able to last for only three months. The amazing thing was that the orphange received the funds in a time of crucial need as they only had two weeks suppy of food left and they had just taken in five more children that did not qualify for the state orphanages. These funds were a tremendous relief and help at that time. Now, we want to leave the door open for you to continue helping these children.
Global food prices are continuing to rise and realitically, the cost of feeding a child at this orphanage for a year is $405. For a month it costs about $34.00 or $8.00 per week. That’s only just over a dollar per day. Your help is greatly appreciated.
If you would like to donate to this orphanage on a regular or a one time basis, please do so through our on-line donation vehicle “Canada Helps” or you can send a cheque to Hunger Response International, PO Box 2514, Abbotsford, BC, Canada. V2T 6R3