Page 2,About Us

We are a very small, grassroots and volunteer only
regional organization that officially began in June of
2002. For certain, we are a long way from big corporate
non-profits with high priced Directors and Senior Staff.
Here at the UOCFP, none of us receives any
compensation for our efforts whatsoever. We pay for this
web site ourselves, along with all expenses associated
with running this charity. We are truly grassroots and
believe that we can never do enough for our cause. You
can really make a difference in an orphans life! Please
consider our offer to join this crusade to help these
disadvantage children in any way we can!

Thank you for reading this letter and visiting our site! We have recently decided to change our name, instead of
Ukrainian Orphaned Children's Fund, we have replaced Ukrainian with United. This gives us the flexibility and
opportunity to be involved in other countries if the need presents itself and if we can offer any positive response or
assistance. But still our main focus will be on Ukrainian orphans and street kids.

Of course there are hundreds of things we would like to accomplish, as there are hundreds and hundreds of needs. The
orphanages and boarding schools needs are many. Although the economic situation in Eastern Europe has improved a
little in the last few years, it hasn't improved enough concerning the orphanages, as they still receive a continuous flow
of new children every year. In fact, usually more than they can handle. The after effects of the Chernobyl disaster still
affects the population in that region of Ukraine and Belarus today. Children are being born to those who had been
exposed to the harmful radiation during the disaster and the clean-up afterwards. Birth defects and handicapped
children are numerous. And AIDS/HIV remains a serious threat. 19% of Ukrainian youth, ages 15 and up are already
infected with HIV. Ukraine has the highest proportion of HIV cases in all of Eastern Europe. In Russia, things are not all
that much better. Disadvantage youth really need our help. Support is seriously needed and will continue to be needed
from people like us in the years to come.

We have been asked about collecting supplies and goods for these orphanages. In fact, we initially started doing this
after coming back from Ukraine in 2000. In general, this is not what we can feasibly do now. as the time, expense and
logistics to ship these goods is beyond our resources. Unfortunately, not enough people support our cause. But if an
urgent need presented itself, we would do our best to help in any way possible. For now, we must remain focused on
our programs and try to be successful with them. If we can meet our goals, that would make a positive difference.

In the coming months and years, we hope that our small little charity will grow to make much more of a serious impact.
We know the need will always be there. Please help us grow and support our cause.

Sincerely, Steve Vetterlein