Hope for Orphans Winter Camps

ACT-UA recently provided financial assistance to Hope for Orphans to provide two winter camps for underprivileged Ukrainian children. The first camp (December 24 to 29, 2009) was held in Sokirnitskiy and hosted 170 children from Krasniy Hutor, Ydaci and Baturin. The second camp (January 2 to 6, 2010) hosted 60 disabled children from the Zgurovskiy Orphanage. In addition to these two camps we also provided the resources to Hope for Orphans to provide a Christmas program and presents to three different orphanages: Gorodnya - 110 children, Beresna - 45 children, and Chereshenki - 78 children.

 

  

  

 

Chernigiv Orphanage Quarantine Room Remodel

To date ACT-UA has donated $3,253.16 (25700 UAH) to remodel and repair the quarantine area of the Chernigiv Orphanage. In the downstairs portion of the quarantine area both the girls' and boys' bathrooms have been completely remodeled. Two new toilets have also been installed in the upstairs portion of the quarantine area. A new sewer pipe was also installed. 

Before Photos.

After Photos.

Medical Equipment Purchased for Chernigiv Orphanage

In July of 2009 ACT-UA purchased much needed medical equipment for the Chernigiv Orphanage. Items purchased included a height meter, tonometer, thermometers, pincers, medical scissors, bactericidal lamp, head mirror, nanoscope, otoscope, medical tray, electric heating pad and spatula. This equipment will assist the staff of the orphanage to assess the medical needs of the children first arriving at the orphanage as well as residents of the orphanage and boarding school who become ill.

Hope for Orphans Summer Camps

ACT-UA recently made a donation to the organization Hope for Orphans. Hope for Orphans has worked with Ukrainian orphans for over 13 years and consists solely of volunteers. Hope for Orphans supports orphanages in various regions of Ukraine, especially those which are in the poorer regions and those that get the least support from the Ukrainian government.

Hope for Orphans helps these children not only because they get very minimal and inadequate support from the Ukrainian government, but also because these children need love and socialization. An orphans' everyday routine is very simple: eating, sleeping, and working in the fields without payment. The orphanages' teachers are very low quality and do not spend the time needed to teach the children the trades and skills they need to survive in life. Hope for Orphans shares the same philosophy as ACT-UA. We believe that these children deserve to be loved and that they need to be presented a positive outlook on life. They need to be taught the skills that will help them survive and thrive once they leave the institutionalized setting. Otherwise they will end up on the streets begging, stealing, etc.

ACT-UA's donation financially supported this year's summer camps that were organized and ran by Hope for Orphans. There were two separate camps this year. The first camp was by the city of Skadovsk from June 15th to the 30th and 220 children from the Kherson orphanage attended. The second camp was near the city of Zhitomyr from July 5th to the 28th and 180 children from the Radomysh area attended. A team of 21 volunteers came to each camp to work with the children. This summer's camp theme was friendship.

The volunteers prepared a very exciting, educational and entertaining program for the children. Each day consisted of different activities including physical education, educational programs, games, craft activities, rest time, sports competitions, drama and music, watching movies and meals. Every child was also given a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, underwear, socks, clothing, shoes, small toys and a football.

This year's camps provided some much needed relaxation and fun for the children who attended. It provided a break from their harsh reality and allowed them to spend time just being a kid. Hope for Orphans and ACT-UA hope that it showed these children that there are people who care about them and want them to succeed.

Uzhniy Children

On June 18, 2009 Earl J. DeCloux, chairman of ACT-UA, celebrated his birthday. Earl's birthday wish was to spend his day putting a smile on the faces of some of Ukraine's underprivileged children. In order to make his birthday wish come true Earl traveled to Uzhniy City, which is situated close to Odessa. Uzhniy is a young, developing city and they are progressive in their care of underprivileged children. Children live with foster families instead of being institutionalized.


The first event was devoted to children without parents and those children whose parents have been deprived of their parental rights. Through the financial help of ACT-UA, 50 children were given the opportunity to an entertaining and educational excursion in the city of Odessa. The excursion included various stops to visit local monuments, the Archeological Museum, the Odessa Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Arkadia Beach, the Butterfly Exhibition, the "Zharu-Paru" cafe and the Odessa Dolphinarium. It was a wonderful day full of laughter and smiles.






The second event was held that same evening in the city of Uzhniy. ACT-UA sponsored and organized a buffet for children with disabilities and their parents. The buffet included a wonderful meal, fruit, sweets, and candies. Then a program was organized for the children that included singing, dancing and a trivia contest. A very nice time was had by all. The children that attended this event suffer from various disabilities, but basically their needs are very similar. Their families are in need of financial support as most of them cannot afford to pay for needed operations, medications, wheelchairs, etc. The buffet and program was organized to lend support to these children and their parents and to let them know there are people who are eager to help.



Earl and ACT-UA staff members hope the day's events made a lasting impression on the children and that it will be remembered as a fun and enjoyable experience for all. Earl enjoyed the day very much and felt fortunate to spend his birthday with such a wonderful group of children.

ACT-UA Makes Donations

ACT-UA has made a 5,000 UAH donation to the organization Hope For Orphans. The funds will be used to purchase food for the children that live and study at their trade school. ACT-UA also gave $1600 to the Kiev Lions Club to purchase diagnostic equipment for children with cancer on February 12, 2009.

Arena Entertainment and ACT-UA Donate to Orphanage

Arena Entertainment, a Kiev business, recently donated 3000 UAH to purchase needed items for children at the Chernigiv Orphanage. These items included school supplies, games, puzzles and toys. Earl, ACT-UA Chairman, also donated funds towards the purchase of these gifts and an ACT-UA t-shirt for each child. The gifts were presented on February 3, 2009. ACT-UA would like to thank Arena Entertainment for their kind donation.

The ACT-UA van arrives at the Chernigiv Orphanage to deliver gifts to the children.

Gifts for the children.



The children of the Chernigiv Orphanage.