Home from Ukraine

I had an awesome time in Ukraine. We traveled throughout western Ukraine, from Lviv to Uzhhorod to Novovolynsk to Ludsk to Chernivtsi to Ternopil to Rivne to Kiev to the Carpathian Mountains to the country of Moldova and every place in between. I traveled most of this in a 2 week period. I had opportunity to meet and see the partners HART supports - and understand why we do what we do. I met families that live in poor conditions in the mountains - children who have diseases and lack of proper nutrition. I also got to meet children from orphanages and foster homes. I have lots of stories to share... where to start...

HART has a child sponsor program which supports not only the child but the entire family. I was able to see clothing and medicine distribution to the families within the project. We took some of the children to the local market at a near by village and bought them some new jeans and jackets. There was one girl that had no emotion on her face... until she put on the new jacket - for just a couple of minutes she felt like a princess, special, cared for.

You could really tell the difference from the children who received love and those who had not experienced love and ultimately no hope. The look from their eyes, their emotionless smile... its gut-check time.

I spent most nights in Lviv - what a beautiful city. The old Soviet buildings are something else. To renovate a building us Canadians would tear it down and build a new one. Not there - renovations seem to take a long time. Lots of plaster, brick, concrete and no money.

Overall my time was great. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my job! You can get more info on HART at http://www.hart.ca/ .