2009 Annual Report

One election is over, another one is ahead. That applies especially to Ukraine, as I have been constantly reporting to you here for the last few years, about an upcoming election, whether that of a new parliament or a new president. This one will be on 17 January 2010. Although various opinion polls to a certain extent ascribe clearly differing values to the two leading candidates, Viktor Yanukovich and Julia Timoshenko, the chances for the incumbent Viktor Jushchenko appear hopeless at 5%.

Dr. Gerhard Simon, a professor at the Institute for Political Science and Sociology at the University of Bonn, analyzes the situation in Ukraine five years after the “Orange Revolution”. His conclusion: corruption and political stagnation persist. The process of drafting a constitution is still not complete after almost two decades. Political conflicts escalate on a regular basis, and there is repeated gridlock in political life lasting weeks and months. One example is the fact that important offices went vacant for months, such as Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Defense. Finally a new minister of foreign affairs was named in October after six months with no one holding that office. Professor Simon cites a 15% inflation rate for the second quarter of 2009. Nor are miracles anticipated after the presidential election.

Views of Beregszász/Berehovo

On our visit to Transcarpathia in early November swine flu was “everywhere”. At the border, in the shops, the banks, at gas stations and on the streets we saw more and more people wearing masks and mouth protectors. Primary schools and nursery schools were closed for three weeks. In the drug stores vitamin C doses were sold out, certain sections in hospitals were overcrowded. The people were clutching at the smallest straw. For example within one week the market price of garlic increased by a factor of five. The topic of swine flu was even politically exploited by the different “camps” for the upcoming election—on the backs of the people.

After these grim descriptions of the situation in the country, which are indeed a cause for depression among the people amid their everyday worries and problems, allow me to report to you a little bit about how we as a benefit society again and again give little signs of hope, and bring unexpected help which is urgently desired, and often open a ray of light to faces marked by a daily drudgery.

Relief transports

Just like last year we were able in 2009 to dispatch nine relief convoys of various sizes on the road to Transcarpathia. Pallets of relief goods included items of all sorts, such as auto replacement parts and dental equipment. An absolute high point occurred when an entire truckload of adult diapers and items for baby care was sent; I reported about this in our semi-annual report.

Diaper recipients

Christmas Parcel Drive

We will again be able in 2009 by the grace of God to surprise about 4000 children in Transcarpathia with a wonderful Christmas gift. The tendency of the last few years to donate later and later unfortunately continues. As happened last year, at the beginning of December we had reached only about two-thirds of the donations needed to give gifts to as many children as the year before.

Of course that puts a strain on the activity, for ultimately our volunteers also need sufficient time to purchase and assemble the gifts. Nevertheless the results turned out wonderful and we are amazed with gratitude over the constantly increasing number of older and younger “helpers”. In the past few days I spoke with a female retiree from our region in Germany. For several years she has wanted to send a donation for our Christmas drive, but for various reasons was never able to. This year it did not just remain her good intention, nor, as she stated, did she stash away the newspaper containing the call to donate. I sensed in her such joy when I told her that her donation would provide gifts for almost 100 children. Yes, it really is true—happiness given to others comes back to the heart of the giver!

Both of the prominent backers of our “Christmas Joy” drive, Gunther Emmerlich and Björn Kircheisen, this year renewed their strong support by further cooperating with our benefit society. We are very delighted and grateful for this.

Projects and Activities we Support

A lot of help happens without much fanfare or a lot of “publicity”. For example we financed a new battery for an electric wheelchair. István Jozán, as a young newly-wed husband, slipped and fell on a wet floor in a bathroom and has been confined to wheelchair ever since.
Three young girls were assisted in paying for their studies or advanced training.
For Krisztina, a handicapped girl from Vári, we bought a printer for her computer, which likewise came from our relief shipment. When it was learned a few years back that Krisztina had taught herself how to write, it was not only her parents who were astonished. Since then she has shown a lot of talent and enthusiasm for writing children’s fairy tales, which she can now print out for the first time with her new printer.

In June I told you about a young man from Beregszász/Berehovo, his past life as a street urchin and his way out of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Since then he has found a job in the city. We are especially delighted that our assistance, according to what he tells us, has shown some success.

Still unfortunately, along with many positive events now and again there are sad notes to report. On our visit to Transcarpathia in November we had to learn that the handicapped son of the Gálfi family of Vári suddenly died this fall. In 2006 we had financed a link to the water system to this family’s house in order to facilitate notable improvements in the care of their severely handicapped child.

You will certainly have noticed that support for medical treatment and assistance for the handicapped currently represent a focus of our work.

For four-year-old Anna Balogh we covered the costs of diagnostic and laboratory work in Kiev, which resulted in determining that her condition and so far mysterious symptoms were genetically induced. After the assistance that was hoped for could unfortunately not become a reality, a new possibility for treatment emerged for her in Transcarpathia. Little Anna’s parents happened by chance to read in the newspaper about a therapist in Ungvár/Užhorod, who specializes in treating such handicapped children. She was educated in Hungary and worked there for many years as well. Then “her heart called her home”, as she said herself, and she traded her good job and regular income for uncertain conditions and comparatively low pay in Ukraine. As the girl’s parents report, in talking with the therapist they discovered for the first time someone who took time for their handicapped child and cared about her. Prior to that there was only diagnosis and “treatment” always from someone’s desk.
At the moment there are ongoing discussions with this therapist about further treatment possibilities, also for any other such children. That could perhaps occur at a central location and Mr. Balogh, the father, would not have to drive his clunky 30-year-old Lada twice a week 90 km to Ungvár/Užhorod and back. We are happy to share the costs involved.

There is another case which is similar. A certain family with older children also has two-year-old twins. For reasons thus far unknown, one of the two youngsters has been suffering from a growth and development deficiency, and for example, is only about half of what his twin brother weighs. His father brought him unconscious into the hospital. Only with our financial help was his condition there restabilized. Additional examinations should give an indication of the cause. There has already been genetic testing, although the results are not expected for about three months! There should probably be a test for celiac disease in Hungary. Celiac disease is an inability to digest gluten, the binder protein found in common grains. The serious lack of growth in the boy could be attributed to this disease.

And what is József up to? Maybe you are waiting with interest for any news about him.
We are happy to report this to you, for it is really a joy to experience his development. Since September he has attended school and is learning well. His teacher is satisfied with him. He only has problems with writing. He knows how the letters are supposed to look, but because of his illness his hand doesn’t “want” to do what he would like, and the marks go outside the lines. That makes him sad.

József in school József doing his homework József having lunch at school

When the weather is nice he drives his “vehicle”, a type of tricycle. In the winter his father will bring him in his old Lada. The parents report that school motivates him to run even more, and since September there has been noticeable improvement. They are grateful and happy, for without the help from Germany none of this would have been possible. We are thrilled to pass this gratitude on to all of our donors.
Otherwise Jószef is a “completely normal” schoolboy. He does not regret the closing of the school due to swine flu and boldly tells about how the teacher scolds the children now and then, even him.
On our arrival when we visited in November, Jószef surprised us by greeting us in German “Guten Abend!” (“Good evening!”). We are delighted and looking forward to his improvement in the year ahead. We will keep you posted.

All of this is possible only because you contribute to it and entrust us with the necessary means again and again to pass it on to others. Thank you very much.

For 2010 several special events of the Transcarpathia Benefit Society are planned. We will notify you promptly about all details. We’ll keep you in suspense!

We sincerely thank you for all your support, your interest, your cooperation and involvement, as well as your prayers and donations in 2009.

Without you, all the help for the people in Transcarpathia would not have been possible. And even if it is only a “drop in the bucket”, as they say, it can be great and valuable in the eyes of the receiver. Every such drop is a sign of love and hope, without which our world is a poorer place, and with which we are still enriched internally by a great deal. And every such drop is a sign that someone is not forgotten. For us it is once again a chance to learn humility and practice gratitude.

Thank you very much for being faithfully connected to the people of Transcarpathia and to our organization. We are amazed that God again and again moves people’s hearts even in economically troubled times and motivates them to help.
We are especially grateful for the safe traveling that was experienced in 2009 as the year draws to a close.

With our help in 2010 we will also be able to contribute to alleviating people’s worries in Transcarpathia and making their problems easier. And by doing so we often give them a little bit of new hope. Grateful people and cheerful, happy faces—it is all worth while!

It is known that many shoulders lighten the load. Therefore we ask you also in the coming year for your help and support. Keep the suffering people in Transcarpathia in your hearts. And spread the word about the work and projects of the Transcarpathia Benefit Society among your relatives, friends and acquaintances, your co-workers and fellow students, as well as in your community and clubs. We are delighted to have your ideas for new activities.