Mission To Ukraine

Programs: Approximately 800 children with disabilities and their families attended 20,000 appointments with mission to ukraine (mtu) in 2017. Over 200 children were served for the first time in 2017. Services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, alternative augmentative communication therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, art therapy, sensory therapy, medical & dental services (7 physicians on the team), social integration programs, special education preschool classes, school integration and rediness classes, and more. Each child is treated based on their individualized care plan. 100 of the neediest children and their families qualified for and received monthly humanatarian aid packages. 86 residents at an orphanage for boys with disabilities received similar services on a regular basis from mtu staff and volunteers. Discrimination against persons with disabilities in ukraine is rampant. Mtu services improve quality of life, provide hope for tomorrow, and build dignity for this marganalized segment of ukrainian children.

the local church is often explained by theologians as god's plan to restore his people and fight systems of injustice. These funds support ukrainian churches' efforts to impact the lives of communities in our areas of service. Programs include summer camps for children in remote villages, christian outreach materials, after-school feeding programs, and church facility improvements.

unplanned pregnancies and abortion may be more rampant in ukraine than any other european country. The average ukrainian woman is said to have had up to 6 abortions, making abortion as culturally acceptable as a simple dental procedure. Since 1997, mtu has helped mothers in crisis and society as a whole realize the value of the human life, a counter cultural approach even today. In 2017, mtu served 1000 women through 6 counseling locations. Approximately 250 babies were saved from abortion in 2017. All families are served through mtu's medical and dental services, as appropriate. Nearly 100 families were identified in extreme need of assistance and received monthly humanatarian aid packages. Again this year we had 10,000 students, teachers, and community members participated in risky behavior seminars learning about abstinence and sexuality, hiv/aids, stis, substance abuse, alcoholism, and other high risk choices.