A team from “Wise Action” establishes cooperation on de-occupied territories
With Patriarch Sviatoslav’s blessing, the Patriarchal Finance Officer, Fr Lubomyr Javorsky, together with independent experts Andrij Rozhdestvensky and Svitlana Buhaj from the Patriarchal foundation “Wise Action”, travelled to deoccupied territories of Ukraine from February 5–8th in order to learn the specific challenges and problems currently facing those living there.
The representatives of the UGCC first visited the village of Zelenopillia (Zaporizhia). It was extremely close to the line where russian forces already held the neighbouring villages. “We met with community leaders, (ОТГ), elders and local businessowners who remain active.” noted Fr. Lubomyr.
The community of Zelenopillia is extraordinarily vibrant, according to Father. “We had an opportunity to speak with all the participants about their concerns, particularly the large exodus of people from the towns. Businessowners, continuing their enterprises, create jobs for those who remain, pay taxes and support community development.”
“The main conclusion from these discussions: everyone is centred on development. Everyone undertook their volunteering with one purpose: to withstand the war, to prevail. And now, when the enemy has left their borders, they are determining how they might develop their region. Even in such contexts there are many possibilities. The Patriarchal foundation ‘Wise Action’ exists for the transformation of Ukrainian society, the sharing of ideas and expertise of diverse communities and sees the opportunity for collaboration with such community leadership (OTH)”, concluded Fr. Lubomyr.
The next stop was Kherson. There, the team met with interim city leader Halyna Liashevska, since on June 28th, the city head, Ihor Kolykhaiev was taken by the enemy. They say the city council is eager to cooperate. “This was a completely different conversation from those with leaders of unoccupied communities. The atmosphere of the city is generally negative and depressed. People are closed and scared. While a great number of residents have fled the city, many remain. According to current records, Kherson’s right bank has 4000 children—and that is only the children,” the priest observed.
The engaged population remaining in Kherson is intensely involved in volunteering. “That’s why we discussed all possible social aid and services, namely to bring in Caritas, ‘Wise Action’ and our various organizations to provide social as well as spiritual services”, Father explained.
As the meeting ended, Roman Salabaj, the vice head of the military administration expressed gratitude for the trouble the representatives of the UGCC took to visit and hear the people’s issues and concerns. “I especially thank you for the two mobile heating centres you have already supplied. They are extremely important now, when it’s so cold outside and people have no electricity, generators or internet access.”
He listed many problems Kherson’s government is trying to address with the help of volunteer organizations, funds, and the UGCC. “We will be grateful for any aid and support. We have a huge need for grocery items, hygiene products, means of generating energy such as generators, heating systems, space heaters. Ultimately, any and all assistance will be beneficial and exceedingly important. Sincere thanks from me personally, and also from the entire military administration of Kherson. I expect fruitful collaboration, and when you have the opportunity, come visit us in Khersonschyna! ,” concluded Salabaj.
“We also met with the representatives of liberated Vysokopillia in Khersonschyna. Their situation echoed that of Kherson: during the occupation everything was plundered. They want to work and renew their businesses, but landmines permeate the territory. It is hard to restore agriculture, but small businesses remain, such as roofing, that want to restart their work. We met with these people and now we will work out ways to help them and their towns”, observed the chief finance officer.
Certainly the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, through the Patriarchal fund “Wise Action” and caring benefactors from Ukraine and the world, continues to serve where the need is greatest. With this goal it has already accomplished a string of charitable projects and continues to generate new ones.
The UGCC Department for Information
