2011 Annual Report

This year media coverage here in Germany about Ukraine was dominated by the “Timoshenko Case”, while the upcoming World Championship soccer match in Poland and Ukraine was mentioned in passing at best. Politicians and the media continue to observe conditions in Ukraine through “orange spectacles” and totally misjudge the situation. Money is enormously involved in Ukrainian politics across the whole party spectrum. Thus for many people in the country, the sentencing of Julia Timoschenko—whether rightly or not—seems to be a small glimmer of hope that you can’t buy everything with money. But even among President Yanukovich’s followers there is overall disenchantment because of the “downward trend” in many areas.

However let me report on how the Benefit Society continues to offer small signs of hope and to deliver much-needed, often unexpected assistance, thus bringing a magical sparkle into faces affected by everyday life.

Relief transports

Over the past year we were able to dispatch six relief shipments to Transcarpathia with adult diapers, among other things.

As already mentioned in the semi-annual report, diesel prices continue to skyrocket and now cost about €1 per liter (roughly $5 per gallon).

About our staff

Pastor Péter Szeghljánik and his wife Kata expect their third child this spring.

Christmas parcel drive

Thank God we will again in 2011 be able to surprise nearly 4600 children in Transcarpathia with a wonderful Christmas present. It is unfortunate that the trend of the last few years continues with donations coming in later and later. That of course makes the charitable work more difficult, since our partners after all still need sufficient time to buy and prepare the gifts. Nevertheless it is a splendid outcome and we are amazed and full of gratitude for the ever growing number of older and younger “helpers”. Yes, it always turns out to be true: the joy you give to others often comes back into your own heart.

Projects and Activities we Support

The reformed fire department in Dercen is the only volunteer fire department in the whole country of Ukraine. The output capacity of public fire departments continues to decrease. The amount of time manpower is standing by has been reduced to 6 hours daily due to lack of funds. Similar conditions exist in the area of medical help. The Dercen fire department is also sorely affected. It no longer receives state subsidies for fuel for its operations. This has resulted in a greater number of fires. In addition to numerous residential fires the fire department was involved with fire operations at the market hall and the ski factory in Munkács/Mukachevo. What was formerly the largest ski factory of the Soviet Union is now an important production facility of the Fischer Ski Company of Austria. Due to the additional takeover of fuel costs the remaining work at the garage had to be postponed for the second vehicle. We decided to offer assistance in order to conclude the work as soon as possible. If you would like to support the fire department in Dercen, please wire funds using the keywords: Fire Department

Demonstration of the new fire truck attachment, donated by the fire department at Lengenfeld, Germany Fire at the market hall in Munkács/Mukachevo

The treatment of handicapped children in Beregszász/Berehovo is being expanded gradually. At the moment 32 children are getting therapy. The husband of the manager of the handicapped department has taken over the position as driver of the van for transporting the children. Recently horseback therapy is being used in a neighboring village and the manager’s dog has become a favorite of the children.

A handicapped child being picked by the driver of a van

my friend the dog horseback therapy

I had recently reported to you about our assistance in the purchase of an urgently needed van for the music group of the reformed youth association KRISZ. This shows you an image of what we have done::

Little József now attends a 3rd grade class. In spring of 2012 he will return for treatment in a special clinic in Truskavec. Besides that he makes use of facilities for the handicapped in Beregszász/Berehovo, and since fall he gets horseback therapy twice a week in Bakta. Donations to fund his treatment can be wired with the keyword: Josef

József getting therapy in Beregszász/Berehovo József on horseback

On 20 August 2011 the first Family Day of the Reformed Church of Transcarpathia took place in Vári. Under bright sunny skies 5000 visitors came from all parts of Transcarpathia into the village. Everything was perfectly organized, from the registration of participants to the assigned drinking water stations to the toilets set up to enable the washing of hands. A lunch was prepared for everyone which was distributed at specifically arranged locations. 10,000 little sausages found their “way” into the pot of goulash!
The program was diverse, from presentations for children, young people and a mission to Roma people to three concerts, lectures, evangelization to different workshops. In front of the church there was a main stage atop a large truck trailer with hollow blocks and wooden planks in front of it to make a seating area for about 3000 people. The center of the village of Vári was closed to vehicular traffic on that day.
For everyone present it was an unforgettable day with lasting impressions!

the crowded village street of Vári View from the steeple

Pot of goulash for everyone Béla Pintér, a well-known Christian singer from Hungary

A lot more could be added here. It is all possible only because you trust us with the means necessary to give it to others. Thanks very much!

We sincerely thank you for all your support, your interest, your cooperation and involvement, for your prayers and your donations in the closing days of the year 2011.
We can thus convey a large measure of gratitude and love and we keep on giving the people in Transcarpathia small and large signs of hope and solidarity.

Thank you very much for remaining so faithful to us. We are amazed that God moves human hearts time and again and inspires them to help. We are especially grateful for all his protection while traveling.

We need you and your help in the new year 2012 as well and sincerely ask for your support. It would be great if the suffering people in Transcarpathia would continue to be something close to your heart.
And please let your relatives, friends and people you know about the work and projects of the Transcarpathia Benefit Society, as well as your co-workers and fellow students, your communities and organizations. We are delighted to hear your ideas and activities to raise money.

We wish you and your families a solemn time of Advent, a joyous Christmastime and God’s blessing for the new year!