The above photo is of the distribution center in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. We have shipped two containers to this location that were especially packed to help the elderly who desperately needed clothing and shoes.
The trip to Vinnytsia, Ukraine began very early and ended very late! We took a transit train from Kyiv to Vinnytsia. It is a usual 2+hour trip one way. Plans were to go early in the morning and spend the day and return in the early evening. It started as planned with a 5:00 a.m. starting point and looked as though it would end as scheduled with a 9:00 p.m. returning point. But somewhere between our departure from Vinnytsia and the expected return to Kyiv, the train slowed and then stopped. We sat for a long time and then the announcement was made that due to “technical problems” we were not moving and would be late returning. No other information was given. So there we sat somewhere in the Ukrainian wilderness in pitch blackness waiting while “technical problems” were corrected. I’m not sure how long we sat but all I could think of is how would I find a comfortable place to sleep as I waited to get from the beginning to the end of this day. No matter how I tried there was no comfortable place. Finally, the train slowly moved and finally we did arrive back in Kyiv but at a much later time than scheduled.
Vinnytsia is a city with a population of 500,000. It is globally historic because of a number of factors discussed in previous trips. At this point in history it is the hometown to the President and the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Our efforts in Vinnytsia focus on helping the large population of retired people. On my first trip to the city I was introduced to a gathering of elderly. They had clothes spread out and I thought they were receiving items shipped. But they had gathered together because they had searched through their clothes to see what they might “trade” with another person in order to get what they needed. It was a shocking experience and several reading these reports commented to me about that situation.
We arranged for a container of winter clothing to be shipped so these elderly, and others, would have clothing for this past winter. The clothes arrived and all cleared Customs and distribution began. The personal hygiene items were quickly distributed. The clothing distribution began and continues. Each week about 500 families visit the distribution center and select clothing they need.
On my visit I was shown the clothing distribution room and introduced to members of the fund who were assisting others find clothing. There were several of the elderly pensioners present who needed clothing.
Over and over I was told how much that container of clothing meant to these elderly people. Every sentence began with words of appreciation and emphasized by hugs, tender touches and kisses.
In the conversation I learned that many of those being helped had not been able to get any kind of clothing for the last 10-15 years! Their pension (about $50 per month) is not enough to buy food and pay the utilities. They live on the most meager sustenance. The need for medication is great but the reality of having adequate medications in their hand is a dream.
One of the volunteers told me that they had taken many clothes to shut-in. These are unable to get out of their house. The volunteers would go and get their sizes and then go back and dig through the clothes until they found what they thought would work. Each visit would often require several trips (by walking and maybe bus). But they remained committed to helping those shut-ins received the clothing and items needed.
The clothing center is one large room with clothes carefully laid out in stacks of gender and sizes. There is a special corner for childrens’ clothing and there are a few stuffed animals that had found their way into the clothing bags. When the clothing in the distribution room gets low the volunteers go back to storage and get more of what has been given away.
Amazing…500 per week have not been able to get any clothing replacement for 10-15 years!
This is the location that asked me for an American flag. Victor had requested the flag saying he wanted to hold it high in the community so people would know the USA was not an enemy but a friend. In the distribution room that flag is hanging on one wall and opposite it is the flag of Ukraine. Victor says it was done so people will see there is cooperation in help from these two nations.
Once again, I was confronted with the utter callousness of Ukraine’s government toward those who are in need. The Minister Reva is the one in charge of the Ministry of Social Policy. You would think he would be compassionate and eager to see that assistance is delivered to the needy. But Reva is on record as saying, “Ukrainians live a bad life because they eat too much!” It is amazing that the political elite are of the same ilk no matter whether they are in Washington, DC or Kyiv, Ukraine!
When I reported on the “clothing swap” among the elderly, Kathy Cadden immediately emailed saying she wanted to get some clothing to those senior citizens. AS usual she began a persistent drive to deliver a container. We sent a clothing container from the Neelyville, MO load site where Jerry Max Morgan and the brethren collected, loaded and shipped 30,000+lbs. Kathy continued her efforts and she just loaded a container for Vinnytsia on 04 April. It is due to arrive 05 May in Port.
Please allow a brief aside from this report’s narrative…There is an amazing footnote in the shipping of Kathy’s container. This shipping was coordinated by Charita Shteynberg. Charita and I have been joined in humanitarian efforts for years and her energy and persistence and “never-give-up” character is exceeded only by her compassion for the world’s vulnerable. Through her efforts she has been tested and her integrity has prompted her to turn away from situations that are unethical or illegal. Her connections and reputation with those in the corporate and private sectors in the USA open doors for shipping critical commodities into the world are amazing. She and I have worked together in shipping a number of containers into Ukraine and now we are partnering to expand operations into many other locations. Officially Charita’s title is “International NGO Liaison” and her journey through international humanitarism has led her to be the founder of World of Connections (worldofconnections.org). Now IF ONLY we can get her out of New Jersey and into the South all will be perfect! An interesting sidebar note…while I have been on this trip Charita and I have worked out an agreement with Nigerian officials to ship ten containers into that nation to assist in the relief of the IDPs who have been victimized by Boko Harem. The first is loading out of Boston in the next few days. This was possible because of our dear Dr Zik and his sweet wife Ory!
When I told Victor and the others of this coming container they were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. We have also scheduled a container of shoes to be delivered to Vinnytsia and the Dalraida church of Christ has agreed to pay the costs. Much is being done in this location and we anticipate good things to result!
Continue praying for our efforts and the opening of doors by which the gospel can be preached!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Kyiv, Ukraine
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