In May 2002, I went to Odessa Ukraine for the
fourth time. Everything was in bloom, lots of flowers for
sale on street corners. Odessa is a city of over one
million people. I worked mainly with teachers and children
in Orphanage #4, bringing materials for them to do crafts.
We made necklaces and a variety of sewing and paper
crafts. After teaching the teachers and children how to
spin, I left a spinning wheel there, enabling them to make
some of their own yarns. It is so exciting to see the
items the kids have knitted. I usually go to the local
flea market to buy materials needed in some of the
classes. The sewing teacher needed material and thread,
scissors, etc., so we bought a lot for them. They use old
"Singer" sewing machines to work on. In hopes of
communicating better on future trips, I am now working on
my Russian.
I go to the Ukraine through the Universal Aid for Children, UAC,
who have a website where you can learn more about them:
www.uacadoption.org.
There is a staff in Odessa that organizes obtaining and distributing food,
medicines, and clothing to the children in the many orphanages. When I go to the
Ukraine I meet with the staff in delivering the items I have collected.
There is a
group of women in Tuolumne County that knit or crochet items such as hats, scarves,
vests, sweaters, for the children. The items are then sent to Odessa to
be distributed where they are needed.
UAC is always looking for more of these handmade or store bought
items as well as hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, soaps,
etc. Donation for arts and crafts items for the children are also needed. Donations
of money can be used for sending the items over to the Ukraine as well as buying
the much needed clothing, medicines and food. You can learn what is
currently needed by
visiting UAC's
Wish List.
When I am in Odessa working with the children and staff I am also the eyes and
ears for Clara Pascal, Director of UAC's Ukrainian Medical Aid & Relief Program.
You can learn more about her through this link,
www.uacadoption.org/htmldocs/clarabio.html.
