Give Childhood a Chance and Keep Youth Drug Free!

Dear valued supporter,

Today we would like to share with you the inspiring story of our dedicated member organization: Blue Cross Ukraine.

In a remote southeastern corner of Ukraine, life in the slums continues despite the delicate political situation and ongoing military presence in the town of Mariupol. The House Gawan, Blue Cross Ukraine’s center for children, located in the heart of the Gawan Sabotka slum, continues to open its doors to vulnerable children growing up in a community where alcohol and drug abuse is the daily norm. Young children and adolescents receive psychosocial support, counselling on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS, and tutoring for eventual job placement. Warm meals are distributed for free to cater for the most urgent health needs of the children. The center also provides access to a shower, towels and a change of clothes for those children that are forced to bathe in the nearby sea due to a lack of facilities at home.

Most importantly, the children are free to run around in a safe, drug-free environment and do what children do best – play!

One of the staff members tells us “2014 was not an easy year for us. There were many concerns and problems. But still God has blessed us this year. The children come in the afternoon into our project and we help them with their homework, as well as difficulties in learning. We play together. For example, we have had this year our own football team, which meets once a week, in addition to our youth football team. The children come to us after school and have a small meal with us. Furthermore, the children participate in smaller tasks, such as table service, watering flowers, garden service, bicycle repair and more.”

The center primarily benefits the children, however through continued engagement with the youth; the team of Blue Cross social workers gradually reaches out to the parents, many of whom are socially excluded due to their addiction problem. They then build confidence and a relationship with these parents, which is the first step on the road to sobriety and recovery. With the support of Blue Cross Ukraine, many parents have overcome addiction and subsequently sought gainful employment.

A Message from the Blue Cross Ukraine Team: We are very grateful for the things and food that God sends us. Thanks to all who pray for this work and especially for those who donate to the children and families we serve.

Best wishes,

Mischa Rychener

Fundraising Officer, IFBC