July, 2022 Barbara's News

Our co-worker Barbara and her family decided to go back home in May and she is again working locally.

Here is the news from Barbara:

This summer we hope to hold day camps (DVBS) in places that are not under Russian occupation. As we prepare for DVBS we continue to reach out to many families that have urgent needs. Although we have been working since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, only now that I have returned home do I feel I am making a real difference. We have lots of refugees coming from eastern Ukraine to our area who stay because they have nowhere else to go. There is still intermittent bombing here but compared to living in Mariupol, our city seems safe enough to them.

Photo: A lady from Barbara’s village receives groceries.

There are many people in need now, not only among the refugees, but also among the polulation of our town. Unfortunately for everyone, the prices for groceries, utilities, and fuel have risen significantly and many people here lost their jobs. It is practically impossible to find work. Many large enterprises have stopped operating because the conditions are unsafe or the facilities have already been damaged. A lot of people come to our local church seeking help. Now that summer is here, warm weather clothes and footwear for adults and children are in great demand along with food and hygiene products.

Today a woman came to me with a request to help her. She and her husband are both 68 years old. Her husband had a stroke 2 years ago and is bedridden. The woman’s problem is that they have nothing to eat. I invited her to church so they could choose clothes and she cam with her daughter and grandson. The women were able to find some clothes and of course I gave them some groceries. We were also able to help with diapers for her husband.

Another woman with three children also cam to us for help. She was laid off from work while pregnant with her fourth child. Her husband is also temporarily unemployed as the plant where he worked is not operating. Thankfully these workers are being paid ⅔ of their wages (about US$135). For a family of four, this is a small amount so they came to us because they needed clothes. After talking with them, I also helped them with some groceries.