The Orphans' Aid Society For Ukraine

The Orphans' Aid Society for Ukraine has worked for over seven years to aid orphaned children in Ukraine. Its work is enabled by the orphans' sponsors, and by all people of good will who know that these children are a new nation's most important resource. These sponsors are truly the builders of Ukraine's future. They support the country morally and materially by helping the children who need it most, especially in these trying times of hardship.

At the present time, the Society manages the sponsorship of over 1,000 orphans in Ukraine who are living either with their grandparents, distant relatives, and sometimes even with strangers. As we all know, the state of the Ukrainian economy is deteriorating steadily. A typical middle-aged adult is hard pressed to support his or her children or to help his or her elderly parents. This situation is a long term problem without any improvement in sight, and has led to a higher than normal suicide rate. Combined with a decreased life expectancy, conditions in Ukraine have left many suffering children without any family support.

In addition, many Ukrainian policemen, military service members, and people in other protective services have lost their lives while performing their duties in helping to build a strong and independent Ukraine. Just one example is the Ukrainian soldiers who died performing their United Nations duties helping stabilize war-ravaged Bosnia. Many of these patriots of the new Ukraine were parents who left their children behind without provisions for their sustenance.

The consequence of these tragic events and conditions in Ukraine is that the Society now has more than 600 applications from newly orphaned children seeking support or some kind of assistance. In addition to being orphans, many are ill, and they need help desperately.

For only $15.00 per month, sponsors can make a difference, perhaps the most important difference, in a child's life.

Upon choosing a child to sponsor, you will receive the child's picture, address, and information about his or her living conditions. The child is required to write a personal letter to you. Most of the Society's sponsors write back to their sponsored children, and many personal relationships have been crafted in this fashion. Translation of letters is available if needed.

The Orphans' Aid Society for Ukraine is a registered charity with the US Internal Revenue Service, and all donations are tax-deductible. Administrative costs are amazingly low; less than 2% of revenues. These costs are kept so low because all Society personnel work on a volunteer basis, and most expenses are covered from personal funds, not from donations. For more information, please write or call at the above address.

Last updated:    January 1998

A print version of much of the information contained in this NIS Third Sector Organizations section can be found in the The Post-Soviet Handbook (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1999).

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