Chalice has been serving children in Ukraine since 1998 in three sites in both rural and urban communities. Our local partners tell us that Chalice is one of few international charities in their region, because the central government makes charitable work difficult with complex taxation laws.
Ballooning inflation has dramatically increased the costs of necessities such as food and heating. Coupled with high rates of unemployment or under-salaried work, parents have difficulty providing for their families. In the areas where Chalice works, there are high rates of chronic illness and cognitive disabilities such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Low-income families have little access to quality medical services, because public hospitals are underfunded and ill-equipped.
Through the support of sponsors and donors, Chalice and our local partners focus on:
- Education – Ensuring each child completes their education until high school graduation, at a minimum.
- Financial inclusion & empowerment for parents – Giving caregivers back their decision-making power for the needs of their families.
- Nutrition & household needs – Providing families with fresh produce and staples to ensure their children maintain nutrient-rich, balanced diets. Assistance is also provided to help with the high cost of basic household needs such as heating and simple housewares.
Feb. 1/23 - It’s been almost a year, and the conflict rages on.
Russia’s offensive on Ukraine has produced some alarming reports in the news. We are in constant contact with our site staff and want to keep you informed about the situation at our Ternopil, Pochaiv, and Lviv sponsor sites.
Although the recent security situation in our Ukrainian sites has been relatively stable, families and site staff continue to struggle with frequent air raid sirens and lengthy power outages. Additionally, families must try to cope with the ongoing hardships of lost wages and increases in the cost of almost everything.
Families are adapting to living with frequent power outages. However, families in smaller villages and rural areas experience much longer outages than residents of larger towns. Flashlights and candles are always nearby.
Despite the hardships faced by staff and families, all our sponsor sites in Ukraine have received their quarterly funds and Regional Assistance Funds.
The Ternopil site is “relatively safe,” according to site staff, but increasing airstrikes in western regions have placed everyone on edge. Air raid sirens sound for upwards of two hours at a time, and all the schools, banks, and other public institutions close until they get the ‘all clear.’
All three site offices remain open and are running as close to normal as they can – except for air raid siren interruptions. Most sub-site offices are also open. Banks are operating well. There have been no delays in transferring funds from Canada to sites and from sites to families.
Schools are now a mix of in-person and online learning. If the school has a shelter, they can open for in-person classes, but it’s still the parents’ choice. The children learning from home mostly live in rural houses with root cellars where they shelter during the sirens.
The families have access to basic needs like food, water, and medical support; however, increased inflation and lost wages have made most families financially vulnerable. Ukrainian authorities are urging citizens to use electricity sparingly, because of serious damage done to power stations. “We are expecting a tough heating season this coming winter,” staff say. Thanks to everyone who supported Chalice’s home-heating programs for Ternopil and Pochaiv sites, the families in most need will have a winter’s worth of firewood.
“Thankfully, this year’s crops are generous in vegetables, and fruit trees yielded a good harvest,” the site staff report. “So people are processing fruits and vegetables to make cans for winter, they have picked potatoes to hold until the next season.”
“The Ukraine Regional Assistance Fund has also had a positive impact,” the site staff write. “The fact that Chalice is still able to distribute additional funds to families for education supports, food, and heating is a big help.”
You can continue to provide relief support through our Ukraine Regional Assistance fund. Sponsors can also continue donating special money directly to their sponsored child and their family. Please call us at 1.800.776.6855 and we'll be happy to assist.
If you sponsor a child or elder in Ukraine, you can send special money.
You can do that by either calling us at 1.800.776.6855, or by clicking here. In the section that says 'comments', include your child's code and a note that it's special money, so we know where to send it.
If you'd like to make a general donation to go to a specific site as a grant, please call 1.800.776.6855.
Unfortunately, our international courier service is not operating in Ukraine at this time. We will be unable to deliver correspondence to the sites until they resume service.
“Every night prayer is said in each of the families for peace in the country and for the safety of the family members who are defending Ukraine,” writes Luba, Ternopil site director. “We thank God for hearing our prayers.”
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine!
Source Links:
*(1) -UNDP- | Human Development Reports (undp.org)
*(2) -UNICEF - Ukraine (UKR) - Demographics, Health & Infant Mortality - UNICEF DATA
