UAOC SENDS FIRST MAJOR SHIPMENT OF BASIC NECESSITIES & SUPPLIES

Published by the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of North & South America, May 28, 2005

UAOC SENDS FIRST MAJOR SHIPMENT OF BASIC NECESSITIES & SUPPLIES TO ORPHANAGE IN UKRAINE

Cleveland, Ohio (May 28, 2005) – With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan MEFODIY, Primate of the UAOC worldwide, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of North & South America and the Diaspora (UAOC-NSAD) will be sending its first shipment of approximately two full pallets of essential supplies to an orphanage in Borzna, Ukraine.

The Church was introduced to this orphanage through one of the bishops who has been very active in ministering to the orphanages in a variety of ways. After working on a collaboration effort with Big Family Charity, a nonprofit organization in Ukraine, the Church Hierarchy felt that this was an important ministry to engage in on a major level, especially after reading and directly hearing about the children and the conditions they are forced to live in.

According to Big Family Charity, the Borzna orphanage is home to just under 200 children between the ages of 5 and 17. The buildings in which the children live, learn, eat are in sad state of disrepair. Indoor toilets are non-existent, the food budget is below any standard for nutritious eating, teaching supplies are few, and properly fitting clothes and shoes are lacking. This orphanage has been the victim of previous poor management and a severe lack of funding.

This effort is being led by the newly-elected Coadjutor Archbishop Myroslav Steczak Kniespeck of the UAOC-NSAD. Vladyka Myroslav shared, "I never thought I could imagine, let alone hear firsthand, about such harsh living conditions. To have no running water, a small outhouse for 200 children, no basic medicines, understaffing…it makes me wonder if these innocent children are more like inmates than the precious youth that they are.”

“This is a great opportunity for our Church to provide for the basic needs of these tender orphans who, God willing, will become our future. I cannot express the satisfaction I feel knowing that we are able to provide for these very basic necessities. So many of the items we are sending are taken for granted here in the United States. Through this ministry we are able to change lives and offer promise of a future.”

On May 28, Vladyka Myroslav blessed a sampling of the shipment, weighing a little over one-third of a ton, as it was being prepared to leave for Ukraine. The boxes of supplies contain much-needed bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bandages, socks, first aid supplies, school supplies, toilet paper, bath towels and other items needed for basic daily living.

Metropolitan Michael Javchak Champion, Primate of the UAOC-NSAD said, "I am very pleased that our church is able to reach out and contribute to the needs of our young people in Ukraine who are materially less fortunate than ourselves. By providing for the daily necessities of the orphans, we are both following the Gospel mandate to take care of the basic human rights of others (Mt. 25: 31-46), and practicing the 'corporal works of mercy' which the church has always entrusted us to do."

The UAOC-NSAD also has a vested interest in 16 children, ranging in age from 9 to 17 years old. The Church directly sponsors these children by providing for as many of their individual needs as possible, including clothing, personal items, hygiene kits, school supplies, birthday gifts and the start of a college fund for each. The Church communicates with each of the children directly through letter writing and package deliveries.

Bishop Bohdan, Vicar of Kyiv for the UAOC in Ukraine, wrote “We are so happy to be able to share in the work of mercy together with the other members of our communion in sharing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to those who are in need. May His great blessing be upon you and grant you many years in this service to God’s people.

Archbishop Myroslav continued, “This awesome new ministry not only helps those who have serious needs, but allows our Church in the Diaspora to have a direct ministry to the youth in our Motherland. These children are the future of Ukraine and the world. To think that a mere one-third ton of supplies can offer a lifetime of gratitude from the hearts of these children.”

The Church welcomes support and participation from everyone. The biggest needs are children's clothes and basic necessities, like toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, simple school supplies, etc..

For more information about this project, or if you are interested in supporting this incredible ministry, please contact Archbishop Myroslav at vladykamyroslav@uaoc.org. General tax-deductible financial contributions for upcoming shipments to this and other orphanages in Ukraine can be made using PayPal by clicking on the Donate Now button below.

Contact: Archbishop Myroslav
UAOC-NSAD
Phone: (888) 521-6705
Fax: (888) 423-0765
E-mail: vladykamyroslav@uaoc.org



Volume 7 Number 22 - Tuesday, May 31st, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY