Tag Archives: University scholarship

January 2017

Hello family and friends,

We reached our Christmas fundraiser goal! Director Lyesya of the Ternava village school is making purchases as I write to you. We will share more next month.
A BIG UKRAINIAN THANK YOU
to ALL who made this fundraiser a success!

We are beginning January 2017 with a number of new programs. You may have read about them in previous newsletters. Here is a list of what we are doing in 2017.

New Programs
Veleeky Lubin Orphanage — one massage therapist for children with disabilities

Mykolaiv — two massage therapists for children with disabilities

Marganets Transition Home — one massage therapist for children from difficult homes

Ongoing Programs
Dobromel Orphanage — two massage therapists
— two computer classes

Chornomorsk — three massage therapists
— transportation scholarship – 4 students
Marganets
School #3 — clothing program
Transition Home — clothing program

Ongoing projects, and new projects that Sveta and I want for 2017

Marganets School #3 — improving education equipment

Ternava village school — improving education equipment
——
Ovidiopol village center — massage therapy for children with disabilities

Shostakova village school — improving education equipment

Maximovka village school — improving education equipment

Mark’s Moments

Many of you sponsor MUCH through shopping on SmileAmazon. Thank you!

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Read on to learn about some of our programs through Sveta’s eyes!

Sveta’s Journey
Chornomorsk

DSC03448The Transportation Scholarship Program began in Chornomorsk in 2007. We currently have four students in college and university programs. Your help for our students is HUGE! We met with them and each of them has a big reason to say thanks to you, dear friends! They are standing in the picture right to left.

Three years ago Nastya’s father died, and it was at this time that she began to participate in our program. Nastya told us, “Without your financial support, it would be impossible for me to continue my education.” She is studying to be a music conductor.

Anya has five brothers and sisters in her family. Some of them are also college students. She asked us to thank you. Because of your financial help, Anya can continue her education. She is studying to be an elementary school teacher with a focus on the English language.

For the family of Daniel, your financial gift is also a great help. He needs extra lessons in mathematics. Help with the cost of his transportation to Odessa and back makes a big difference for his family. He, his sister, and parents are very grateful for your help. Daniel is studying at the college of radio and mobile instrumentation. He has a big heart. He shares his meager lunch with his friend who has even less.

Arthur’s parents have a small salary. Their situation was very difficult, but their choices were simple. They had money to pay for utilities and food or education, but not both. You gave them a third choice. Arthur is more thankful than words can say. He is studying at the college of music studies. Listen as he plays the violin very well.

Marganets
This year we closed the clothing program in the orphanage, but God opened a new door in another facility. In January we started a massage therapy program for children at the Transition Home. The children in this program live at this facility for nine months. Massage therapy is very important for these children. For them it is a stressful period in their lives. They have been taken from their family for their own safety, but it is never-the-less a very perplexing time. The children need supportive relationships and healing experiences for the body and soul.

Through massage therapy, step-by-step, the children will receive emotional, social, psychological, and physical rehabilitation. Our massage therapist, Yana, with her ten years of experience, has a great love for these children. She is happy to give massage treatments to the children in the Transition Home!

All who read our newsletters, thank you for your interest in what we do! To our American team, those who pray, encourage, volunteer administrators, and financially support MUCH, you are the heart and soul that God works through to continue to move God’s work forward. Thank each of you from the bottoms of our hearts.
Living my dream,
Sveta

2017 is going to be a very productive year for MUCH. Readers, share our stories with your friends, and be a part of the MUCH adventure!

You can see all of our videos at our Youtube site http://www.youtube.com/user/smmuch

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Sveta

How Does Education Break the Cycle of Poverty?

What is the cycle of poverty? How does it begin? It can begin with financial crisis or it may be the person’s physical or mental abilities that limit them. There are other possibilities. However it begins, the cycle will pass from generation to generation, unless there is a desire for change. The desire for change is stifled by a number of factors. The sense of family is very strong. “If this life (poverty) is good enough for my parents, it is okay for me.” Peer-pressure pushes children into class-cliques, developing groups that accept their station in life. These are the two main obstacles, but there are others. Having a mindset for the status quo is quite powerful.

One of the downfalls of living in poverty is that abuse of alcohol and or drugs, becomes a common form of recreation or escape from life’s difficulties. Television advertisements for alcohol suggest it as a reward for hard work, or a drink to share with friends. Unfortunately, this post-Soviet society has a long history of alcohol abuse that dates back more than 200 years. In Illichevsk, wine is a major business and export product. The grocery stores have aisles of alcoholic drinks with vodka and other hard liquors.

All of these factors promote a lifestyle that is not about change. To break the cycle of poverty, there must be a desire for change; there must be change. Education is the main factor that can provide change. This is a proven fact in the history of America. Here are a number of YouTube videos from the YouthBuild program in America.[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8JDdmqYObQ&list=PL1zQtU7glYWmEC_S28-imfz0UwzuSvQLG[/youtube]

What promotes the desire for change? Change is not easy. It takes hard work. Even more, it requires a support group, whether it be parents, friends, classmates or mentors. Even cheerleaders are important. When a student is cheered-on, his or her accomplishments take on a new value and motivation.

How does this work? In schools, teachers and guidance counselors understand the needs and potential of the student. Helping the student understand his or her own potential and interest is vital. Guiding him or her to higher education as a reality is a necessity. The student must have a dream. The dream should have achievable goals. Meet two students who have achievable goals and are moving forward.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFEMAc2Hh_8&feature=c4-overview&list=UU7wsKHT3uX4x-VzXgDH8gUw[/youtube]

Help us change the poverty of Illichevsk, one student at a time!

Help send MUCH students to university with a gift of $10!
Click here!