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SARA Brings Help and Hope to Ukraine

   
"Thank you for saving our children from starving last winter."

       With these words and tears in his eyes, the director of the Ukrainian orphanage greeted the Ohio Conference’s SARA delegation when they visited the government-run orphanage in late June 2000.

       Last winter, food was scarce in the mountainous region of the Ukraine where the orphanage is located.  Ralph Quellhorst, Ohio Conference Minister and President of SARA (Sharing America’s Resources Abroad), authorized a special shipment of food on behalf of SARA to the orphanage.  The food was delivered from the Hungarian Reformed Church orphanage also in the Ukraine.

      On their visit this summer, the 33 visitors from the U.S., along with SARA’s partners in the Ukraine, delivered a truckload of fresh cabbages, potatoes, tomatoes and dozens of loaves of bread.  Also on the truck were two brand-new merry-go-rounds, one for each orphanage, gifts for the children from First UCC, Marion.

      SARA is an interfaith, ecumenical ministry sponsored by the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ.  Doctors, farmers, health care professionals, pastors, funeral directors, car salesmen, printers and church volunteers made up the team of 33 persons who spent 17 days in Hungary and the Ukraine.  They visited hospitals, health clinics, churches, and orphanages, sharing the good will of Christians from Ohio and Kentucky.  

Gifts from many individuals and churches were shared with the people in these two countries.

  Transportation

Two ambulances were given to a Children’s Hospital and a Regional Health Center where such transportation was badly needed.  The ambulances were purchased in Ohio, rehabilitated by volunteers from St. Paul UCC, New Bremen, and shipped to the Ukraine with the support of a Jewish businessman from New York City.  A new truck, purchased by a lay person from St. Peter UCC, Cincinnati, was given to the Hungarian church orphanage.

   Health Clinic

Funds given by members of Dublin Community UCC will help the Christian Doctors Association of Transcarpathia start a free health clinic.  Because people needing medical help must take their own supplies and medications to the hospital before treatment will be offered, the new clinic offers hope for poor families in that region.

   Hospital Laundry

The ladies that work in two hospital laundries wept when they were given money for two more commercial washing machines to assist them.  These funds were given by a number of UCC churches from the Small Church Cluster of Seneca County, Brecksville UCC, and many other churches.  Small cash gifts were given to each laundry worker in appreciation of what they do.  The small gift of $10 per person represented a month’s income.

   Hospital Facilities and Treatment

Some of the SARA group helped set up the hospital dialysis units that were delivered, and two persons spent three days at the mountain orphanage, training care givers in physical therapy techniques for children with disabilities.  Funds were provided for children to receive hospital treatment, and members of the Christian Doctors Association will donate their skills to provide corrective surgery.

   Help for Gypsy Families

Gifts of money were given for animals to help Gypsy families begin to develop their own lives as farmers, and two gypsy congregations sponsored by the Hungarian Reformed church received financial support from members of the group.

   Aid to Clinics and Hospitals

First UCC, New Philadelphia, is helping develop more health clinics; First UCC, Sugarcreek, is assisting the Children’s Hospital with bed linens; Christ UCC, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky is also assisting the development of clinics and more.  So many churches and individuals helped to bring love and hope to people caught in a time of 80% unemployment.

   Bequest to a Congregation

One of the highlights of the mission tour was a visit to a small village church near the border of Slovakia to share with the congregation a $4100 bequest from a woman from Trinity UCC in Wooster. This is the largest gift ever received by the church, located in an area where the average annual income may be $30-40.

   Hospital Chapel

A new chapel in Children’s Hospital, built with funds provided by SARA, was dedicated by Dr. Quellhorst.  The chapel, the first to be built since Russia left Ukraine, will be a place for prayer and meditation for people of all faiths.

 Hear about SARA's work from someone who has been there

If your church or organization would like to hear more about SARA’s mission work, contact Steve Szilagyi at 440-593-2021 or by email at szilsara@suite224.net.  He will put you in touch with someone who will be glad to share the story of SARA with your group.

 See and participate in SARA's work yourself

SARA invites persons who are interested in seeing the mission work in the Ukraine firsthand to join them on their next tour.  Dr. Stephen Szilagyi, Executive Director of SARA, who speaks Hungarian and Ukrainian, leads the tours that provide personal understanding of the work being done.  Those who go on the tour carry one suitcase of medical supplies (provided by SARA) with them.  Click here for information on our next tour.