Highlights of LifeNets-sponsored camp in Vinogradov, Ukraine

Part 1

July 6- 17, 2015

For the seventh time in dight years LifeNets sponsored a two week program - this year from July 7 to July 28 to July 17, 2015 to teach English and provide support for a day camp at the Light of Love Mission in Ukraine. LifeNets has been supporting the work of Vasyl and Irina Polichko since 2001.

Six US volunteers, Greg Rorem (group leader), Michala Lockwood, Cody Martin, Stephanie Zajac, Colin Kubik, Mark Philip Pebworth as well as Artur Aleksandrov from Estonia travelled on this very fulfilling mission. We would like to share reports and photos from all the participants As before, it was once again a remarkably successful project that benefited the children and those going from the United States. We will be adding photos and stories, so please come back here often

Part of an ancient Franciscan Monastery leveled by by the Mongols in about 1242 on their way to leveling Budapest, Hungary. The Mongols were not into Historical Preservation. They had just finished destroying Kiev and killing ALL inhabitants. Ukraine is an unbelievable old area who's history goes back beyond the time of Alexander the Great and the Scythian tribes

Camp in Zacharpatia, Ukraine. 2015 On the weekend our staff spent time with other Ukrainian youths from the town of Khust. It is great the communication that takes place with a little English, Ukrainian and Russian mixed together. Friendship is a universal language. The Ukrainians are from a tribe or clan called the Ruthenians. Their language is a mix of Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Russian and little Romanian. The Zakarpatia is cut off from the Ukraine by the Carpathian mountains. It was part of the Kievian-Rus. It has been a piece of land that has been fought over other last 1000 years with border changing depending on who won the last war. The are of Khust is a strategic pass between Europe and Ukraine. The Carpathian mountains are in the background

Michala teaching in Vinohradiv, Carpathia, Ukraine. Summer 2015 Cody Martin Gypsy boy Two Gypsy (Roma) girls. The blond has a Ukrainian father and is wearing a Ukrainian patterned blouse. Stephanie Zajac with young camper The Gypsy's are an interesting group of people. Nomadic they did not have a land of their after being driven out from India. They traversed back and forth along the Silk Trail between Europe and China. Wherever they tried to settle, they were persecuted and driven out. Once Constantinople fell, they were locked in to dwell in Eastern Europe and many in Ukraine. They lived in segregated communities and due to discrimination had difficult time supporting themselves and their families. There towns were pictures of abject poverty. They were able to provide for their families by traveling throughout Europe doing roofing and gutter work. When we visited their villages, we saw only women and children with the men working in other countries. The orphanage has a reputation for accepting the most outcast of the Gypsy children. These boys have been swimming in the Tisa River. The darker tanned boys are the Gypsies with the blond boys being Ukrainian.     Greg Rorem Visiting a Gypsy (Roma) village outside of Vinnohradiv, Ukraine. Typical colorful clothing and features. Meet Diana (on the right) former camper at Ukrainian Camp. Graduated due to age) Currently she is the cook for the entire camp! Hard worker with a gentle smile. Typical Ukrainian round face with a pleasant smile. It is a warm climate in the Zacharpatia region with the vegetables ripening as camp starts. The campers and staff eat well! Diana is the best!!! Gypsy boy Typical dress of the Gypsy women and girls. When we visited there the men were gone to Europe to work. They travel in caravans, going from town to town doing roofing, landscaping and construction.   Artur Aleksandrov Colin Kubik