English teacher Charlotte Leeth works with students on her second trip to Ukraine.
She is a retired teacher and 81 years young.

A three-person medical team, Martha Siegel, Occupational Therapist, and nurses Sherry Clausing and Cathy Hunter, worked with the girls who live in the Good Samaritan Children’s Home, inviting them into the guest house to do a Christian craft (occupational therapy).

The girls enjoyed the one-on-one time, and Marty was able to see who might need more therapy. Laslo Katko, the Good Samaritan Home administrator, asked the team to look at all the special needs girls as well as evaluate new admissions. The staff was interested in seeing the therapy Marty was doing, and she feels confident that they will follow through.

Marty said, "It was a very special time for me. I have watched some of these girls grow up since 1999. I’m pleased to report they look good and are enjoying life."

The team members also visited other people with whom they have developed relationships over the years to see how they are doing and what their needs are.

To the Roma (Gypsy) school, they brought food and 64 backpacks full of school and hygiene supplies, one for each student. With help from SARA financial gifts, Katko will see that more food is delivered to the school.

These kids live in one of the children’s homes in Ra’t.

On a return visit to a local state orphanage—an institution that could barely provide basic necessities—Marty was "delighted to see the improvements. The classrooms now have supplies and books. They are teaching arts and crafts that can be sold."

At the regional children’s hospital, the SARA group made two cash gifts, delivered 880 jars of food and laundry soap, and bought an exercise bike. "Sherry and I used the bike with several children," said Marty, "and Dr. Demon has reported that it is being put to good use."

The team met with Bishop Majnek of the Roman Catholic Church, which operates new, family-style children’s homes in Ra’t. Two of the four homes are done; a third is under construction. Eighteen children live in the two houses.

Stephen Szilagyi talks with Arpad Brio, director of the children’s homes in Ra’t.
The brick building is House #3, to be completed as funds are available.
Their goal is to have 10 children in each house.

The children usually come from the state orphanages, many with physical problems that need attention. A new rehabilitation center will be built near the Ra’t homes for the residents and community members.

The five-person English teacher team—Charles and Valerie Motsko, Charlotte Leeth and George and Lana Sakash—taught in several schools. Demand was high, and "We could have done many more classes if we had the time. It was a joy spending time with the students of all ages," reported Lana.

"We do not teach grammar," she explained. "We talk about current topics, culture or their choice. We did classes on the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city, a village or the country. We did a class on the American election."

They attended the first-ever meeting of the English Club, which plans to meet once a month to practice English and discuss topics of interest to the group.

For Lana, one of the most valuable things to come from the experience was that the Ukranians and Americans met each other and perhaps broke down the stereotype that all Americans are rich and are similar to people seen on MTV or in other media images.