Vika - A Success Story in the Making

This is the story of Vika K.  She was born in the Odessa region of Ukraine on November 6, 1989.  Ukraine declared independence on December 26, 1991, twenty-four days after the break up of the Soviet Union.  Vika’s early days are somewhat of a blur.  We have a few details of her first seven years.  At age 3, Vika’s mother and her current boyfriend in Odessa left her with her grandmother one evening and went out to drink the night away.  With this regular behavior of her mother, it was just a matter of time before Vika was removed from her mother’s custody and placed in a shelter.  Her mother’s boyfriend was quite attached to little Vika.  In no time, he stole Vika from the shelter and took her back to her mother.  In spite of his feelings for Vika, his own health was in jeopardy.  He died not long after.

To avoid the authorities, Vika and her mother moved to the village of Big Valley, about 20 kilometers southwest of Odessa.  Her mother soon found another guy to be her drinking buddy.  There were a number of alcoholics who gathered in a house that became the “home” of Vika and her mother.  This house, as you can guess, was not in very good condition at all.  For a child, much less a preschool child, it was just not acceptable.  The house had no windows to keep the cold out in the winter.  There was no way to heat the house either.  There were no kitchen or bathroom facilities.  It was a place to hide from life, but certainly not a place to live.  For Vika, it was very dangerous, even life threatening.

By the time that Vika had reached age 7, the people in the community of Big Valley were talking about Vika.  They were talking about her living among alcoholics.  It was 1996.  Life in Ukraine was still very difficult.  Rebuilding a country after 70 some years of oppression left everyone looking out for themselves.  People could talk and talk, but what could they do.  Who could afford to add one mouth to feed at their table?  Who had enough compassion to take this child into their home?  There was such a man.  His name was Victor K.  He went to this “house” one day and took her away from this terrible environment.  He brought her into his home to live with his family: his wife, two daughters, and two sons.  Vika’s mother didn’t put up a fight. She didn’t even object.

As time went along, Victor invited the mother to visit Vika at his house whenever she wanted.  It was seldom that she came to visit Vika.  She truly had no interest in her daughter.  She was controlled by the bottle.  Not long after, the house where the mother and her friends drank together burned down.  Had Victor not taken Vika, she surely would have died.

There was a building, maybe a house, on Victor’s farm land.  The mother and her boyfriend asked if they could live in this building.  He allowed this.  Also, he gave them work to take care of the cattle.  He would pay them in food and clothing only.   They were content with this arrangement.  It continued for 8 years.  During this time Vika’s mother, although she was living so close, showed no interest in her daughter.

Vika attended school in the village.  After school each day, she would come home and eat a snack.  Then, immediately she would go with her brothers to the field to herd the cattle.  Her life was not an easy life.  Life in Ukraine was not easy. Vika had an opportunity to live a “normal life” in the village.  Even so, her past would haunt her yet.  She had no legal papers documenting who she was.  This meant that she could not move forward with her education.  She could not even get a job without documents.  She baby-sat for income.  What else could she do?

Finally, in 2007, Vika’s documents were found after an exhaustive search through the public records in Odessa.  Vika is now “in the legal system.”  She has a chance to make a life for herself.  Unfortunately, she still needed help.  She found friends and spiritual guidance in the Illichevsk Baptist church. Maybe it was in 2004 that she made a commitment to Christ.  She has become very involved in the church activities.  She sings in the choir.  She has a very strong and beautiful voice.

Vika has the desire to improve her life.  Through the kindness of others, she has made it this far in life.  Now it is up to her to go the next step.  She has taken the examinations for University.  She passed the exams and has been accepted into the program.  Now she will need funding.  She cannot raise enough money working to pay her own way.  How will she go to the next step in her success story?

She applied for the Mission Ukraine Children’s Hope, (MUCH), Transportation Scholarship Program. After four long years of working in Odessa, and attending the university on the “session system,” (three weeks of lecture, twice a year), she graduated with a teaching degree.

Later that year, she married the son of the Senior Pastor of her church.

The following year, Vika gave birth to her first child. She and her husband Vitalik are very happy and are carving out a life for themselves.

It has been a difficult life for Vika. Some good people stepped into her life and gave her opportunities to move her life forward. She made her life a success through hard work and faith in God. She began her life as a burden to society, and now she gives positive contributions to her church and her society.

Sixty dollars a month made this life-changing opportunity possible. Two, three, or four sponsors could send a youth to higher education for $15.00 (four sponsors) to $30.00 (two sponsors) a month. Education is not so expensive; lack of education is devastating. Consider becoming a sponsor with MUCH and together break the cycle of poverty in Ukraine.

What About Education? Part 9

Graduation without computer skills )-:

Great beginnings!

In 2006, I planted a seed of inspiration. MUCH completed the Sweet Dreams II mattress and bedding project and now it was time to think of another project that would motivate the children to reach for higher goals. While meeting with the administration at the orphanage, I asked if they would be interested in starting a computer laboratory for the children. I suggested that it would take some time to raise enough money for to buy three or four computers. They began the investigation process.

When I returned on my next visit three months later, I had approval of my Board of Directors to begin the project. To my surprise, they had purchased six computer systems. The federal government had given grants to the orphanages of Ukraine, thus, they decided to use some of that money to begin the computer program. When they confessed that they did not have any money in the budget to pay a teacher, I asked what it would cost to have someone teach one computer class a day. I was told $20 a month would be enough.

This spark of encouragement, agreeing to provide this stipend, moved the idea into second gear. One of the teachers found a class to learn how to teach computer skills to mentally challenged children. When I asked this man about his background in computers, he told me that it was limited. I further asked where his aptitude would come from. He answered, “I am a teacher. I will learn it, and then I will teach it.” I later learned that his degree was in teaching the Ukrainian language. Yet, he had been hired to teach art and woodcraft. He is truly a man who lives who he is, a teacher.

They now have seven computers and a PowerPoint projector and screen. They are teaching the children graphic art, word processing and other Office programs, and a number of other skills that will help them compete in the 21ts century. They are also using the computer classroom to facilitate other classes and programs.

Our part in the computer classes for the children remains small, although we continue to sponsor this program. We are seeing great changes in the children. Instead of going outside and getting into trouble, or sitting in front of the television for hours, many of the children are going to the computer room to practice their skills. Games are available, and, of course, many of the children like to play the games. Even so, for these children, hand eye coordination, speed skills, keyboard skills, and organized thought processing, will develop abilities that will make them more marketable in the job market.

What About Education? Part 10, we will look more deeply into the benefits of computer skills and knowledge for these children whose parents, if they have parents, are lost in this emerging country.

What About Education? Part 8

Happy days for today!

Some of us will be looking for work soon!

Continuing our discussion about morality and sex education in Ukraine, we should remember what it was like to be a child looking for answers about sex. In the orphanage/boarding school (OBS) that I focus on in this series, the children have many opportunities to watch movies, which have been approved by the administration, without supervision. Part of the reason that movies containing sex and violence are approved is because it is better to satisfy the curiosity of the children within the walls of the OBS. Unfortunately, there is no discussion or evaluation with the children about what the children see. They are left to make their own conclusions.

In Soviet times, mothers would not necessarily prepare their daughters for puberty and the biological changes that would take place. Imagine experiencing this in an OBS. I have watched the girls grow up over the past ten years and I was aware of the ones who were having difficulty dealing with their growing pains. It was obvious which girls were interested in boys, and which were lost in their self-consciousness. In either case, the girls need good examples and clear understanding of sexual morality.

When we started our program, a number of years ago, the focus came about because some of the children were sniffing glue. As we battled this chemical abuse toward the body, we began to understand other problems that the children were encountering. The program that we support, provided by a local church, reaches out to the children before they lose their innocence, if that is possible in an OBS. There are no funds available in the OBS budget to provide a program like this, so MUCH looks to a local church that already has this type of program. It is a big task. MUCH has been making a monthly donation to the church for someone to come to the OBS to teach the children. The personal attention helps the children, but we see bigger changes because of the program.

Looking at national statistics, I see big reasons to be afraid for the children. After leaving the OBS system, an alarming number of the children become involved in crime, end up in prison, or commit suicide. The very sad statistic is that 60% of the girls become involved in prostitution. There are many reasons for this, many are not their own decision, but the question remains, “What can we do to change the future potential of the children?” MUCH is opening doors to create new opportunities in education.

This church-run program is one of the three programs that MUCH supports at this OBS. In What About Education? Part 9, we will look into the computer program that is piquing the interest of many of the children. Their enthusiasm is on the rise.

Hearts Committed to the Children

Four Men

Children help Volodya

Talking about massage

Such sweet children

Click on picture to enlarge

Saturday afternoon, four men gathered at the Dobromel orphanage to help the children. Each has a unique gift to share, making changes in the lives of the children in their own way. The director, Mikola, has many visions of how to improve the health and lives of these children with physical and mental disabilities. Pastor Volodya has been ministering to these children for more than ten years, bringing fresh fruit and drinks, exciting activities, and spiritual nourishment and direction. Anatoliy came to translate for Mark. Having three children of his own, he understands the needs of these children. Mark has been sponsoring Volodya’s work with the children, and is now focusing on their physical needs.

In 2009, Mark, Volodya, and Mikola began discussing the possibilities of massage for the children. Mikola did not wait, but to Mark’s surprise during this visit, he had a room filled with exercise equipment, has chosen an exercise specialist who has training in massage, and began a limited program with the focus on scoliosis. He had acquired an exam table, not the best for massage, but adequate for small children.

As Mark and Mikola discussed what was, and what they desired to be, they brought Natalya, the exercise specialist, into the conversation. This was the plan, now a work in progress. Mark’s fiancée, Svetlana, a qualified massage therapist, will live in Dobromel during the month of October 2011. She will provide massage for four children, a 20-day treatment designed for each. The massage will build upon the previous one, resulting in a deep-seated outcome. The goal is to show some progress, determining that massage therapy, in Mikola’s eyes, will help to change the physical conditions of the children.

When Mikola stated that October was a long time to wait, Mark suggested that Natalya come to Illichevsk and observe the two massage therapists, providing massage for children similar to those at the Dobromel Orphanage. This sparked a great interest in both Mikola and Natalya.

While Mark, Anatoliy, and Mikola where talking, ironing out many details, Volodya and his team, his son-in-law, Igor, and Tamara, a nurse by profession, brought physical and spiritual food to the children. Many of the older children were impatient with our late arrival, so they were involved in other activities. The younger children, hunger for attention, as you can see in their eyes.

This particular Saturday, April 9, was a cold and wet day. The two-hour travel home, maneuvering the treacherous potholes in the road, ended a long day, but not without even more adventure. At one point, a bridge was out, although there was an alternate route available, and there was a kilometer or two where a heavy snow with huge flakes fell. Overall, there was plenty of excitement for everyone.

Children in Transition

Mark and translator draw with children

Quilts from American quilting club

For the past three years and then some, when I go to Marganets, I visit the children at the transition home. These children are in a very difficult spot in their young lives. Most have been taken from their home because of a very poor environment. Whether it is because of parents who are alcoholic or drug users or the children are beat or just not cared for, the results leave the children in a new situation that is very challenging. I have met one or two whose parents died, leaving them as orphans.

The home is run with a very strict schedule, keeping the children busy to avoid time for them to dwell on their problems. This particular home is run by a Christian director. She sees the great need for the children to have more time to adjust to their loss of family. Their program focuses on helping the children modify their lives and build healthy character. Although she is asking the government to give her more time with the children, it seems that ninety day is all that they will allow. Their twenty-six beds stay filled throughout the year.

The director’s big venture three years ago was to find families to adopt the children before they would be placed in an orphanage. In the first six months of 2008, she was able to place 10 children in local Christian homes. She has contact with the different churches in Marganets and they work together to help the children while in the transition home and to find good families for them. Adoption for Ukrainian families is very inexpensive, so I hear, and they are working on implementing the foster care program. Of course, the challenge in this city of poverty is to find honest foster parents. The money is so needed; it lures many of the wrong parent types.

When I visit with the children, we talk about little things, but they are very hungry for attention. They are very hungry to show their value. They want to know about America. They have very interesting questions. When we have an opportunity for Bible study, I’m always surprised to hear how much they know. I have taken seashells. The children are very interested in seeing these homes of sea creatures. Some have been to the sea, but most have not.

When I look at these children, it breaks my heart to know why they are at the transition home. I know their future if they are not placed in a good home within ninety days. I have interacted with children at the local orphanage for eight years. Even with the best orphanage environment, it is not a good place for a child. A family of over one hundred children is not the kind of family that is needed. There are so many children in need of help in this country; helping the 500 or so that we help in three cities and one village is just a small effort for the big problem for the more than 100,000 Ukrainian children in poverty.