Ukraine Aid and Education Fund

Is a Christian humanitarian  organisation dedicated to
help Ukraine move into a market economy and to give
its people freedom and equality in the democratic  
world.

It will do this by sending shipping containers of Good Used clothing to
country village communities and families, orphanages and prisons in
urban areas who have a need.
It also assists selected students with tertiary education scholarships.
Is a non profit registered  charity
Centered in North Western Victoria
email ukraineaid@yahoo.com.au
Look First Opportunity Shop in Wood St ,DONALD

Is our base and sorting center where clothing is sorted and either
displayed for sale or if suitable or requested packed in Cardboard
boxes until a shipping container can be filled and shipped out . We
are on our fifth container now
We accept good used Clothing, Books, Toys, Bikes,
Manchester, Shoes, Household articles eg crockery,
cutlery, all kitchen requirements etc

A Team of Ladies and some men too help in the shop, sorting and
packing. All are welcome to help in these tasks
Working Bee - each Thursday, 10.00AM to 12Noon
Ukraine Aid and Education Fund
Orphanage, Vinnitsa
above Doug and Ian standing in
wheat crop,
below distribution in Kirovograd
Oblast
Op Shop in Donald above and
below one of the distribution centers
in Odessa, Grace Church basement  
on the other side of the world
Places visited on our
first trip to Ukraine in
2000
Kiev, Vinnitsa, Odessa
and Sumy  in the North
East corner
Students
McEwen Farming site
Counter
8 Sproats Lane, DONALD .Victoria, Australia 3480

Have you ever wondered if what you do is of value? This question became the purpose of the trip to
Ukraine in September/Oct by Ian and Alison McEwen. Representing the Ukraine Aid and Education
Fund, Ian and Alison were able to travel through Ukraine meeting individuals and families who are
receiving support through the Fund. We met the ladies in Odessa who were responsible for
distributing the goods packed in the container sent in March.
Our questions:- Did you throw anything out to the tip? Is the standard of clothes high enough? Is the
odd crockery a concern? Were you able to distribute the baby clothes? Are you able to use electrical
items? Are you able to give clothes to children on the street? What would you like in the next
container?
Their answers:- We used everything. Yes, the standard is high. (we saw our clothes walking around –
the English motifs were a give away) Crockery helpful – no chips or cracks. Baby clothes were sent to
the Govt. Baby home in Odessa. With the sewing materials would it possible to send cottons and
threads? Sports equipment welcome. Would it be possible to knit jumpers for the 10 to 15 years old?
The street children are being placed in orphanages. If clothes are given to children on the streets it
would only encourage them to stay on the street. Towels and sheets welcome. Limited use for `see
through/nylon’ blouses.  A Big Thank You from the people of Ukraine.
Economic Situation
New paint on old buildings was the most encouraging sign of an improved economy. The Lada cars (
Russian) are still there but many new cars frequent the roads in increasing numbers, shopping malls
of world standard appear in the regional cities and fresh paint on public buildings is a welcome
change. Many Ukrainians in recent years expressed their confidence in the future by borrowing from
the banks to `do up’ their apartments( a great need) and purchase cars. However, the World
Economic Crisis has stalled the country. An instant 6% rise in the interest rate and the currency going
from 5Hryvnya to the USD to almost 9UAH has crippled the financial system. Many have lost their jobs
or are under employed. The medical system is archaic and medicines very scarce and very expensive
for the local people.
Meeting and receiving hospitality from the students who are supported by the Fund and their
families was a highlight. Yaraslav is doing his fourth year linguistics, we met his mother and
grandmother and shared a beautiful meal in their home. Yaraslav values our support and uses it for
train fares the 80kms round trip from home to university. To understand the need in these families I
observed Yarik who at 20 years old is sharing a bedroom with his mother while his grandmother’s
bed is in the kitchen. The families are dependent on their vegetable gardens to `get them through
the winter’
Vika and Nastya, two sisters are studying to be primary teachers. We met their mother and
grandmother and shared a meal in their home. The next day we offered to buy them something in the
market. The girls and Ian and I and our translator had a great time while the girls tried on 20 pairs of
jeans each until they chose a pair to buy. Teenagers are the same the world over. Much of the
financial strain in the families comes from the fact that so many are single mothers. The divorce rate
is very high.
Masha is studying Information Technology (IT). We met her parents and two of her siblings. Masha
helps her father in his printing business with the graphics. Unfortunately, printing orders have
dropped. Masha’s father and her sister sang a duet to us.
Vita is one of 6 children. It was Vita’s 18th birthday the day we shared a meal with the family. Her
parents have fostered 3 children including Vita. Vita is studying medicine (nursing). Her mother
shared the story of the two youngest. They were found in appalling conditions.

The trip reinforced our determination to help this Country to emerge again as a dynamic force in the
Eastern Europeon region.
This beautiful Country should be a leading economic force to help neighbouring struggling
economies such as Moldova in the west and the Caspian areas to the East .

The container shipments and the student scholarships will continue
Trip 09 pictures