TATYANA • Ukraine
atyana “I was 18 months old when my mother died and my sister and I began to live with my grandmother. Three years later, my father married again, and we moved to live in a new family: with a new mother and a brother. At school I was shy and had almost no friends. I felt ashamed that we didn’t have enough money. Once I was invited to a Day Center in my city of Khmelnytsky. The love and care that the DC leaders showed to me, despite my age and social status, moved me deeply. It was sincere and genuine. I felt accepted and loved. My regular visits to the Day Center changed me a lot. I made many friends that I had always dreamed of. My relationship with my mother became very good. I discovered many talents and skills in myself. I was glad when the leaders of the Day Center invited me to help in the Day Center. The Lord changed me dramatically! From a shy girl with many fears (I couldn’t even recite a poem at school in front of other students!) to an active minister who is responsible for the work of the entire Day Center and camps leader. I realized my call from God: to help children and youth be overcomers of their hard life circumstances and help them bring the positive changes in their lives. Today I am a cluster coordinator at YFC Ukraine and facilitate the growth of 17 DCs in my region. Thanks to the YFC, I can fulfill my dream, helping children and teens.”
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RUSTAM • Armenia
ustam* is 9 years old. He has a mother, a brother and a sister. They live in the city of Gyumri in Armenia. His father went missing: he left for Russia to find job and never came back. Rustam’s mother works as a cook at school. Her salary is not enough for the family. They don’t have their own house but rent a small room. Sister has heart problems. Rustam and his brother used to spend most of the time on the street skipping school often. His mother even planned to send them to the shelter. But YFC Day Centre volunteer offered her to bring the boys to their DC. To date Rustam has been coming to the DC for 18 months. His mom is happy because she always knows where her son is: not on the street but in a safe place where teachers and volunteers take care of him while she is working. Now the boy regularly attends the school and gets good grades. His behaviour and relations with his peers have noticeably improved. Rustam has always dreamed of a bicycle, and his dream came true: one donor bought bicycles for all children of that Day Centre! So now Rustam hurries up to come to the Centre earlier to ride a bicycle.
*Names have been changed for privacy reasons
BOGDAN • Ukraine
ogdan’s* father died when he was five. He and his younger sister were brought up by their mother. His grandmother, a believer, brought Bogdan along to a YFC summer camp. Afterwards, he started coming to our after school club in Khmelnytsky. The following year his grandmother died, but Bogdan and his sister kept coming to the club meetings. When he was a little older, though, he lost interest and stopped coming. But after a few stormy teenage years, he made the decision to go to summer camp again – and get his life back on track. He started coming to the after school club where he is now a faithful volunteer.
Bogdan is now preparing to serve as a summer camp group leader.
*Names have been changed for privacy reasons
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TEAMWORK
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SERGIU • Moldova
ergiu* (second from left) is 10, and in the third form at school. He lives with his grandmother as his parents now work in Spain. They have been gone for four years and Sergiu misses them very much. He loves coming to after school club. All his best friends are there. They have a lot of fun together, and do their homework. Sergiu gets good marks and can’t wait to show them to his mother. He would like his parents to come home, but his mum says that this is not possible. She wants to have a nice house and nice clothes, but Sergiu just wants her to be at home.
*Names have been changed for privacy reasons
OLEG • Moldova
leg is the pastor of a church in Hartop. He explains how the after school centre his team runs has benefitted local children and strengthened the impact of the church in their community: ‘Living in a world dominated by darkness and evil, seeing so much suffering and injustice, especially for children, you simply cannot stand unaffected. Our Lord Jesus has called us not to stay on the sidelines but to be salt and light, embodying the love of God in our community. We prayed hard for God to show us how to share his love with children and families in need. And he answered us.
With Youth for Christ’s support, our church started an after school centre for children at risk where they can enjoy nutritious food, attention, care and love. Most of the children who come along rarely have hot meals. No one tells them they love them and no one gives them a hug at home. But at the centre, we do – and we pray a great deal for them. The children in turn also learn to pray for each other. The after school centre has helped some parents to change their minds about us and even start coming to church. The local authorities and school greatly value our work as they see how it helps children, families and wider society. Offering something for free without expecting anything in return is unimaginable for many of the villagers. But we are called to do this, as it is a way to show the love of our Lord.’
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