World Hope Ukraine has at the present two main strands to the work going on in Odessa. One is the First Step Center which serves as a feeder program for the second strand, Hope House, where the rescue and rehabilitation of street children is meeting with success.

Hope House is located outside the city of Odessa about 30 km in the little community of Fontanka. Here we have created a family setting with Ukrainian guardians to assist with the rehabilitation process. Additional land has been added to the property to create a farm setting with the purpose of working toward sustainable development. The farm currently has 125 chickens producing eggs and 4 pigs ready for market.

The children are actively involved in this process and have learned the difference between a weed and a plant that will put food on their table. This is a long process and requires a lot of patience as their guardians attempt to build structure and responsibility into the lives of these children who have known nothing about the simplest form of routine...

The children at Hope House go to school every day and their routine requires extra time daily from a teacher hired to come to Hope House to help recover lost educational experiences, AFTER a full day at school. Highlights to date from this road in their lives would be that Anya, 14 years old, has been chosen two years in a row to represent her school in the public speaking competitions. Both Anya and her twin sister Masha bring home report cards with straight “A’s”

Tonya and Vova each extended their school year this past summer in order to successfully complete their grade 9 level of education. Each has made up over 5 years of schooling since World Hope came into their lives several years ago. This enabled each of them to write entrance exams toward a practical arts course of studies in Odessa.

Vova selected automotive studies and Tonya, after watching Alla cook every day, decided she wanted to be a cook too. Vova’s marks were high enough that the state is paying his tuition for the four year program. Tonya also passed the entrance papers with good marks but the tuition deal was not an option for the cooking program.

A significant step in this rehab process was surpassed when both Vova and Tonya were chosen by their peers to be the class reps to the student council. What a great way to boost the self esteem.

The girls from Hope House all love to sing and their little ensemble gets to participate in the local church. Tonya has even begun teaching Sunday school to the little ones at church.

The street leading to Hope House is not in the best condition and at times can even become impossible for cars to make the journey. BUT…….these children are not only learning to maneuver this street but the other new streets in their lives from a whole different perspective.

Through the support of His people who have answered His call, these children have a smoother, safer and wider road to travel. There is plenty of room for others to join hands and together celebrate the extra curricular and significant events in their lives. These children are no longer on a “dead end” or “one way” street.

Kerry Allison
World Hope Canada Coordinator in Odessa, Ukraine

For information on how you can become a partner in some way please contact Kerry and Carole at allison@worldhope.ca