Chernihiv, Ukraine Reflections Nov/Dec 2023

Working with the Revival Centre of Medical/Social Rehabilitation for Disabled Children in Chernihev, Ukraine

Our friends in Chernihiv, Ukraine continue to care for hundreds of children very close to the border with Russia. They have been targeted a number of times with missile attacks, but they continue to carry on their work with helping disabled children for more than 25 years now.

My nephew Colin Kubik worked at the Center for a year and went back to visit with them in late November.

He writes:

I am doing well. Right now I am in Lviv. I'm busy with teaching English, doing standup comedy, and volunteering on the weekends where I help with two speaking clubs. One of the clubs is for internally displaced people from Eastern Ukraine. The other speaking club is new and I am starting it this week. It will be a game/speaking club where participants pay to take part in it and all of the funds go towards veterans and their recovery.

I was in Chernihiv towards the end of November. I was only there for a couple of days. I had a really great time being with people from the center and I also had the opportunity to see some of the folks from Felstad aid from the United Kingdom. It was quite sobering to see the city and especially the zones where there was active fighting. There was a little concert for the volunteers from the UK where two people played on the accordion. I'll send you videos on Facebook. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos but I have photos that I took with Dr. P and Dr. Natalia when I arrived. I'll send those to you over Facebook too.

Dear our friends Victor and Beverly,

Today, December 6, a traditional meeting with children took place in the music hall of the Center on the occasion of St. Nicholas Day (with compliance with the requirements that apply during martial law). This year, 255 children who are undergoing rehabilitation at the Center, as well as those under its patronage, took part in it.

Today is also a big holiday in Ukraine - the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is they, regardless of rank and position, who stand for the future of our children. This is what Ukraine is fighting for, having no right to defeat. Ukraine does not surrender, thanks to these indomitable and courageous people!
In addition, the celebration was attended by guests from the city of Ogre (Latvia), which is a sister city of Chernigov. The guests also familiarized themselves with the areas of work of our Center and want to cooperate with us in the future.

All children received gift sets (photos from this event are sent to you). You can see how happy they all are!

With respect and gratitude,

Vasyl, Natalia and everyone at the "Revival" Centre