Contruction and Fundraising Update!

Thanks to The Fred Foundation and Stichting CHOE and personal contributions from individuals in Denmark and the United States, Opika has officially begun construction!

As you can see here from the before and after shots, we have completely removed the roof and built a small entranceway in which the mothers may leave baby carriages, coats, hats, boots, etc.

We are also trying to get the well cleaned out before winter. This must be completed in order to be able to use water during construction. However, the neighbors have been very supportive, allowing us to use their well in the meantime.

We also brought in material for construction of a driveway to connect the road to the house, allowing for easier maneuvering (especially in the winter).

A very big thank you to our donors! Your support goes a long way!

Contributers:

• The Fred Foundation, The Netherlands, 10,000 Euros (purchase of house and land)
• Mr. Anker Nobel and Friends, Denmark, 1200 Euros
• *Friends from the US, 500 US Dollars

*US Friends: Seminary United Methodist Church (Virginia); Children of Seminary United Methodist Church (Virginia); Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Sandlin (New York);Ginny Tranchik (New York); Peter Tranchik (New Jersey); Ms. Jeanne Watkinson (North Carolina); Mr. John Reed (New York; Mr. Donald Davis (Georgia)


To make a contribution or for more informtion about this project, please email Shelia Slemp at srslemp@gmail.com.

Blog Post: Teen Pregnancy Statistics

Most experts agree that the official national statistics in Ukraine are unreliable, making it difficult to determine the reality of life for children who have graduated from orphanages (called "boarding schools") in Ukraine.

However, according to the first Ukraine Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) conducted in 2007, more than 9% of Ukrainian children live in institutions or foster situations. The women most at-risk for low birth weight, poor prenatal care, and less access to information about sexual reproduction and family planning are younger, less educated, and live in rural areas. Furthermore, children graduate at the age of 16 and are, therefore younger when they start their lives as adults.

We have a better understanding of our local situation, having worked with and followed this population. Over the last five years, 38 female graduates from the Perechyn boarding school have become pregnant and from among them 51 babies have been born. Virtually all of these newborns are living in orphanages or in foster situations (some with grandparents).

Many of the girls have had physical and psychological problems associated with their pregancy and the birth process due to their lack of access to or knowledge of prenatal, resources and information about how to care for themselves. Abortion is not uncommon, nor are sexually transmitted diseases.