We have been reminded again
and again how creativity engages the senses and how people’s spirits can be
lifted through celebration. A week ago
Sunday was a case in point. It was
national Senior’s Day. The Thanksgiving
tree was transformed and redecorated to reflect the theme and all were invited
for tea after the service. Celebrations
continued into the week.
Monday we were
invited to the Russian School for a concert dedicated specifically to Seniors. Children sang, recited, danced and played
instruments. Later students presented
flowers to all the elderly, ourselves included.
Baba Zenaida |
Dema & Oksana's daughter Anya on right - in Ukrainian national costume |
The children,
dressed in costumes, performed without inhibitions and delighted us all.
The day continued with visits
to two nursing homes – one attached to the church and the other occupying the
second floor of the former Molochansk hospital.
In both cases we see the elderly well cared for. Several women living in the Kutuzovka home
say that they are already living in paradise.
As the week progressed we
connected with two enterprising farmers – one in the early stages of strawberry
and garlic production and the other farmer, a former head of a collective. Both talked about the challenges of
small-scale farming. For example,
operating a small tractor now requires a license for the tractor as well as the
driver. And there are inspections to
deal with and the possibilities of fines. To escape harassment some farmers are choosing
to run their tractors at night.
Marketing is also a problem because of government controls which keep
changing.
Uri & Elena on alligator bench - eyes made out of pingpong balls |
Farmer Uri and his wife Elena
invited us for lunch. As a token of
thanks for the assistance we’ve provided through the years they had prepared an
exotic outdoor feast – roasted pigeons from their rooftopwhich were stuffed
with apricots, salo and other delicacies.
Home-made salo |
We have helped him with loans to
purchase equipment and fertilizer, which he has repaid promptly at harvest
time. In lieu of interest we have asked
him to help his neighbours. Elena charmed us by
singing Ukrainian folksongs, accompanying herself on a button accordion
called a bayan. This couple lives
simply. They have an outdoor shower
using collected rainwater. They raise
most of their own food.
We thank our donors for the opportunity to
assist the above-mentioned individuals and institutions and it is rewarding to hear
their gratitude and to see them flourish and move ahead.
We hosted two sets of guests
last week. It was a pleasure to
introduce them to some of our projects.
One of the more tender moments came while visiting a local orphanage
with Ernie and Helen Rose Pauls.
A 93
year old relative had knit a bag full of toques. The orphanage director brought groups of
children into the room one group at a time and each child left wearing a toque.
– the expression on their faces brought moments of joy for us all.
If you wish to contribute to the work of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine make your Canadian cheques to "Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine" or "FOMCU." Cheques from American donors should be made out to "MFC-FOMCU". All cheques should be mailed to George Dyck, Treasurer, 3675 North Service Rd, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada - L0R 1B1. Check our website at http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/ for information on credit card donations.
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