Annual Report 2001
Christmas Package Drive
About 2200 children in several villages in the region of Transcarpathia
were able to hold a Christmas surprise in their hands on Christmas Eve 2001.
That was a great result of our efforts but was not a sure thing even by
late October. On the contrary, at that point in time we were clearly "behind"
the previous year. By the grace of God however, a strong surge occurred
at year's end.
We are thrilled about this and extremely grateful. At this time we would
like to say a great big thank you to all who contributed in any way--as
well as in the name of the children, their families and especially those
responsible in Ukraine.
As in past years the packages vary from place to place somewhat, but
generally contain chocolate and other sweets, tropical fruits, pencils and
other school supplies, socks and Christian calendars for children. Once
again the packages were prepared "at the site" by those responsible. Occasionally
we are asked why people cannot ship with us a package that they themselves
have wrapped, as is done with other companies that have Christmas package
drives.
We would like to indicate 5 advantages which, it is well to note, apply
to our situation. First of all, delivering packages to Ukraine would involve
clearly higher transport costs, both monetarily and personally; second,
we have to assume that the lovingly wrapped packages will be opened by customs
personnel; third, we will have to pay duty on them. Fourth, purchasing items
locally contributes to the livelihood of local retailers (he who has money
in Ukraine can buy almost everything) and fifth, we do not wish to deprive
our volunteers in Ukraine of things they can do and contribute--in this
case, namely, buying the gifts and packing them.
Many buildings have been reconstructed since the damaging flood of March
2001. In spite of this there are still families who are living elsewhere
as "guests", so to speak, and still have no home this winter.
By means of the Benefit Society's extensive transport network together with
efforts of the Plauen Kiwanis Club immediately after the disaster, and also
with a roughly 6,000 dollar donation we were able to contribute to relieving
the greatest need in some of the villages affected. We reported on this
in detail via press releases and here on our website. It is likely that
nowhere else in Germany could such fast, current or extensive information
about the catastrophic flood be obtained.
Transportation for Activities
We organized in 2001 altogether 9 transport units. Of these, the "flood"-transport
with 4 mini-vans was financed by Plauen Kiwanis Club, and the transport
in August with 3 mini-vans and 1 car in conjunction with the CEU camp. Goods
transported included clothing, shoes, toys, eyeglasses, adult diapers, bandages,
candles, food, baby food, tires and spare parts for cars, gas radiators,
floor coverings, cutlery, dishes, wash basins, hot water heaters, medications
(including insulin!) and bicycles, as well as unusual things such as an
electric organ, 3000 pairs of surgical gloves, horseshoe nails, spare bulbs
for an overhead projector, a baby carriage and a pair of sheep shears.
We are very grateful that in addition to donations targeted to projects,
we always receive sufficient funds in time to cover extra costs for transport,
etc. After the documents we submitted were audited by the finance office
in Auerbach, we received on 8 October 2001 the so-called exemption certificate,
which confirms us as a charitable organization for the period 1998-2000.
Contacts, working with youth
In conjunction with the partner relationship between the Saxon youth organization
"Christian Endeavor Union"
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| Parsonage and meeting hall in Mátyfalva shortly
before completion (standing at right, parish leader Péter Szeghlyánik).
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and the youth group in the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, another joint
camp took place in August 2001 (click here for
photos) in Aklihegy. At that time the new youth camp at Balazsér was
visited, of which the construction and expansion had been supported by the
Benefit Society.
At the German CEU convention at the end of July in Marienberg in the Ore
Mountains, a group of 12 volunteers from the Reformed Church's youth outreach
took part.
Conditions at the Site
With a special worship service at the end of October 2001, after several
years of construction, a festive dedication took place at the newly built
parsonage and meeting hall as well as the renovated church in Mátyfalva.
A few days later a full cleaning of the exterior of the church in Vári (pastor
is Sándor Zán) was completed, having been mostly paid for by Hungarian government
agencies. It was re-dedicated in the presence of the bishop and about 20
additional Reformed pastors. Both of these building projects were funded
in small part by the Benefit Society.
In conjunction with the curative herb project, it was not possible to harvest
the chamomile seeds in the fall due to stormy weather. A spring planting
is projected, for harvest in 2002. The winter months are used to prepare
for harvesting and drying activitities.
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| Entrance to the newly renovated church in
Vári on dedication day--October 31st, 2001 |
Network - Government of Upper Franconia
After the signing of the partnership treaty between the district council
of Upper Franconia and the regional government of Transcarpathia on Sept.
5th, 2001, in Uzhgorod, there occurred on October 12th, 2001 another signing
in the presence of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, Mr. Ponomarenko,
in Upper Franconia. On the previous day, we were invited, as members of
the network of institutions, businesses, and organizations which are active
in this region, to a day symposium at the Banz Monastery on the topic of
"the District of Upper Franconia and its partners". Along with representatives
from Transcarpathia, also addressing the gathering were the Ukrainian Consul-General
in Munich, as well as various scientists from the Eastern European Institute
in Munich, the German Society for Eastern European Studies in Berlin, and
the University of Cologne, and a member of the (western) Economic Advisor
Group to the Ukrainian government.
Here are a few remarks describing the situation in Ukraine:
Since the end of the '90's there has been stagnation in development, or
even a regression. Poverty increased in the 90's, subjectively and objectively."
The following numbers leave a significant impression. Whereas in 1991 a
third of the average Ukrainian family's income was spent on food, that figure
is as high as 64% in the year 2000! Germany at 11% sets the pattern for
most of Europe.
Prospects for 2002
Along with the continuation of ongoing projects, we are planning to purchase
one or two portable mills for sunflower oil to generate some economic viability.
Furthermore we would like to respond to a request for financial support
for corrective surgery for a congenital defect on the right side of a young
girl's face, and to remove negative effects resulting from her earlier operations.
Look at the page covering
this activity.
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| Day Symposium in the Banz Monastery |
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