Thursday, May 26, 2016

ENABLING AND EQUIPPING

Since its inception in 2001, the Mennonite Centre in Molochansk has been active in supporting many aspects of community life - for example, health care, music, culture, sports, education, assisting farmers and aiding churches.  Many stories could be told in each of these categories.  Here are a few that came to our attention this week.

Six years ago we became aware of a young couple who had a dream; a desire to start farming.  With the aid of a small loan they were able to purchase two hectares of land and plant 7000 strawberry plants.  Denis tilled the soil by hand and together with his wife Svieta, harvested their first crop.  They worked very hard and their vision grew.  The following year they also planted garlic.  When we returned to Ukraine in the fall of 2012, we took a visitor from Canada (also a farmer) to see this initiative.  The outcome - Denis was gifted with a rototiller.  See blog November 11, 2012.  We'll never forget his reaction - exuberant gratitude.

This piece of equipment has enabled them to expand. Over time they have increased their property, some of it leased, and have planted fruit trees, raspberries, blackberries and spring vegetables.

Three years ago they constructed a green house.  Now they can get strawberries to market in advance of other growers. Their income does not yet provide livelihood through the year but they are optimistic and continue to work hard.  Denis has a vision to eventually farm 20 hectares.

Earlier this week we received an invitation to come and visit at 2 in the afternoon.  We certainly were not expecting a meal.  Denis had a BBQ going and we were invited into their little house, which he is gradually restoring.  The floor is uneven, thin linoleum over dirt.

                     
 
After being served a delicious meal Denis and Svieta shared a bit of their life.  This enterprising couple have their schedule all worked out.  Svieta gets up at 4 a.m. and goes out to the strawberry field.  No daylight saving time here.  Denis wakens at 6, readies their two daughters for school which begins at 8 and is quite a distance away, loads the strawberries, drops the girls off then heads to the market in town. They hire pickers, but find them unreliable.  Too often, upon receiving their wages, they spend it on vodka and don't show up for several days.  

Denis and Svieta have identified a niche and with a little help have been willing to work hard to make their dream come true.  It was a delight to see what a little "seed money" can accomplish.  In the words of Ben Stobbe, the chairman of our board,  "We give a rototiller to till the soil that may well contain our DNA.  And from that soil comes life and nourishment for Ukrainians."  This couple is making a valuable contribution to the community as well as to the church.  Svieta is a wonderful singer and a faithful member of the worship team.  

Another example.  About the time the Mennonite Centre came into being, a baby girl was born to another Svieta and Edik (now one of our night watchmen).  It was soon discovered the Alyona was severely hearing impaired.  Over the years the Mennonite Centre has provided hearing aides which require replacing every three years.  Alyona is now 16. She has been attending a special school in the neighbouring city of Vassilyevka.
Paying tuition plus room and board is a big expense for the family.  Alyona and her older sister Svieta, who is studying to be a feltcher (nurse practitioner), are both Mennonite Centre scholarship recipients.

Alyona does not have intelligible speech but she is a whiz at translating using her phone by typing in a sentence and asking for translation.  We held an interesting half hour conversation.  She dreams of one day being a massage therapist .

This year the Mennonite Centre has provided scholarships to 40 students, 8 medical students, 10 young people studying education,   3 law students, a music student, and others.  Students are required to submit their grades and reapply annually.  Most of them study 4-5 years.  By investing in young people, enabling and equipping them to get a good education, we hope that they will be able to give back to their communities and build a stronger Ukraine.

For more information on the work of the Mennonite Centre, please go to 
http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/  Also check out Mennonite Centre Ukraine Facebook page

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