HOPE IN CHALLENGING TIMES

It's the beautiful month of May - the season of irises and peonies, flowers in bloom everywhere.
Gardens are flourishing.  So far there has been enough rain and the rich Ukrainian soil promises a good harvest, barring hail or drought.

When we left Ukraine in the summer of 2013,  there was no indication of the changes and trauma lying ahead for this country.  There had been so much hope for a better future.  The intervening years have been difficult, however we see a people resilient, young people with dreams and goals for their future.  Many older people struggling even more now, due to small pensions and escalating prices.  The devaluation of the hryvnia has been a huge blow.  In the villages many people are barely subsisting, ever more dependent on a few chickens, their gardens and root cellars.  In 2005 when we first came to volunteer at the Mennonite Centre the hryvnia was exchanging 5 to a US dollar.  In 2013 it was 8.  Today the exchange rate is 25.24.

This is the first week of our eighth term as North American directors at the Centre.  We work together with Oksana, our very capable Ukrainian director, listening to people's needs and requests and ascertaining where and in which way we can best be of help before we send proposals to our North American board.

    

Each time we return we feel drawn back to the village of Rybalovka, Rudy's father's birthplace, then known as Fischau.

The road leading to this village is in dreadful shape, certainly no funds in the budget for road repairs.  We have become acquainted with a couple living next door to the spot where the village school once stood in Mennonite times.  We've often bought a little honey from them.  The lady told us sadly that they no longer keep bees, but would we buy at least 40 eggs?  Of course we bought eggs, beautiful honey brown extra-large ones.  She shared her woes with us.  Their pensions are so meagre.  There used to be a little store in the village - but no longer.  Everything is so expensive.  There is very little to look forward to.

About 7 kilometres farther south lies the village of Svetlodolinsk, formerly Lichtenau. 

A compilation of Harry's experiences
 in Ukraine

We met with the mayor and several other local dignitaries.  The major issue at hand is the repair of their school bus, which was donated by Harry Giesbrecht in 2003.  Harry, recently deceased, was a board member of FOMCU.  Svetlodolinsk was his birth village.  His family was expelled from the region in 1933 and eventually emigrated to Canada in 1948.  Harry became a successful engineer and took special interest in the affairs of this village.  When it became know that children were walking up to 7 kilometres to school and that some had been attacked y wolves, he purchased a bus.  All these years it has been used to transport children to three schools servicing number of outlying villages.

Bus repair shop

Schools stagger their opening times to accommodate the number of students and the travel time.  The bus is also used for field trips, regional competitions and outings for seniors.  Alas, not so long ago the bus broke down and is now in process of a major motor overhaul.  We have agreed to fund this venture.  It will take the mechanic the major part of the summer to get this work done.  Wages and parts will amount to $400.  A mechanic will have work for the summer and children will have a safe way of getting to school again in fall.

Some years ago we were told that the villages would soon be dying out.  This, however, does not appear to be the case everywhere.  The mayor told us that families are having 3-4 children and that there is now a waiting list for admission to kindergartens.  Most of these village families are engaged in some form of agriculture; there is also the railway, a grain elevator, small stores and a cheese factory offering some employment.

Historically the third Thursday of May has been known as Vyshyvanka Day.  Vyshyvanka is the colloquial name for the embroidered national costume of Ukraine.  Every region can be identified by its own vyshyvanka.

 

Apparently this event has gained much more prominence since the war; it is a symbol
of national identity and patriotism.  Young and old participated in the colourful parade winding through town, eventually stopping at the Palace of Culture (Zentralschule in Mennonite times).
                                                                                       

These sweet little ones were thrilled to pose

Katja, Oksana's daughter in centre

We joined the crowd of spectators, listening to many speeches and watching delightful folk dancing.  It was wonderful to witness people's enthusiasm and self-identification.

The Mennonite Centre has been and continues to be a beacon of hope.  Our doors are always open to those in need.  Each day has it's interests and challenges.  We thank God the Giver of all good gifts and our generous donors, that we have these gifts to share.  We want to do this work responsibly and without prejudice to the very needy in this part of the world.

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