A YEAR LATER

Little did we think when we said our “good-byes” last fall that we would find ourselves back in Ukraine.   It has been heart-warming to meet our colleagues and friends again, akin to a homecoming.

What has changed?  It's still a little too early to make any meaningful evaluation, but a few things are obvious.  Contrary to last year when we arrived, we’re experiencing hot weather.  They tell us that summer started in April and that harvests are at least a month ahead.  Many regions in southeastern Ukraine have experienced a severe drought.  Ukraine is the third largest global corn producer.  In our area the corn crop was almost wiped out.  Sunflowers have also taken a beating.  It is sad to see the stunted plants with their sagging shrunken heads – so different from last year. 

      

    September 4, 2012

September 7, 2011

The consequence is higher prices. This, of course, has a disproportionate effect on those that are already struggling - the poor, the elderly and the unemployed. Our hearts go out to the widows and elderly we meet from day to day.  Their root cellars won’t be as full this fall.  We’re told that there is also something affecting the potato crop, early rot setting in. 

People keep goats for milk & meat

Gazing out of our kitchen window we see the town soccer field.  Not only is this a playground, it is also one of the tethering areas for town-folks’ goats.  Last year we heard a wise person saying, "there is a direct correlation between the economic climate of a community and the number of goats you see."  As we look out now we see ten - last year there were two or three.

One thing that doesn’t change in Ukraine is the love people have for their children and for celebration.  On September 1 we had the privilege of attending “First Bell” at the former Mennonite village of Neuosterwick, now Dolinskoye.  

First graders with cake representing their school

This event had triple significance – celebrating the start of a new school year, which in itself is a big occasion, then also the school centennial and the village bi-centennial. The school first opened its doors to students on September 3, 1912. The ladies auxiliary of the Mennonite church had raised money for the land and business owners put up the building. This event coincided with the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the village by our Mennonite ancestors in 1812.  History became alive. It was our privilege to participate in a large part of this full-day affair of many speeches, music making and dancing.

The school is still an impressive building.  In an effort to maintain it and due to scarce government funding we have partnered in replacing seven windows.  The school motto states  “. . . from creative teacher to creative student.”  What a statement of hope for these young students.

We had visitors from Chilliwack and from St. Catharines this week.  It's always a pleasure to host guests and to interpret the work of the Centre and historical sites to people that come.