Message from the Founder and Director:
Thousands of children live in the "Internats" or "Boarding Schools" in Ukraine. Most are not true orphans, as they still have a parent or even both alive. They are there because of the inability of the parent(s) to support them, or because of sexual or physical abuse, parental drug or alcohol abuse, prison sentences, serious medical problems and more. Whatever the reason is, no child deserves a life in an institution. These places have been sometimes referred to as "Warehouses for Children", or even worse, "Child Concentration Camps". Some are much better than others. There are hundreds of these institutions, and up to a quarter of a million children live in them.
The UOCFP was established in June of 2002. Our goal then and now is to do everything humanly possible to improve the quality of life for the orphans and street children of Ukraine. We also need to continue to work on ways to provide them with tools for a positive future. For now, we are continuing to focus on the country of Ukraine. In the years to come, we hope it will be possible to be involved in other parts of the world. We sincerely hope that you will join us in our crusade in anyway possible.
It's a real sin that in this lucrative and much advanced world we live in today, still there are so many children suffering. Sadly, perhaps even millions from almost every corner of the world. Too many young lives are doing without everyday living essentials; food, clothing, shoes, medical help and medications, proper housing, education and so much more. No child living today should be without anything. Every one of them should have a chance to survive, the ability to thrive and a decent chance for a future.
The UOCFP hopes to make some kind of difference, no matter how big or small. We will continue to be an honest, viable, worthwhile and responsible charity that will work towards ways to help these beautiful children live out their existence in a positive way. Even with the sad situation that brought them to the orphanage in the first place resulting in their unfortunate institutionalized way of life, we want them not to have to do without so many important things, we want them to be happy and for them not to feel hopeless. They must understand that their life does matter and that there are many people in this world who truly care about them.
More information about Ukrainian Orphans:
Too many will spend so much of their young lives living in Government run Institutions. For the most part, they will receive inferior education and will generally fall behind in development compared to children in the general population that have more normal lives living with love ones. Most will lack the proper education to be admitted to the secondary educational facilities, or will drop out quickly if they were even admitted. Too many youths will have nowhere to go once they reach the age of 17 or 18, when many must exit the only home that most have ever known.
A life in the streets is on the horizon for quite a few of them. Maybe even a tragic life of crime, prostitution, alcohol and drug abuse. This is what we need to change and were our focus should be. The kids we have gotten to know are quickly approaching this age, or have, depending on when you are reading this. We need to help them and hundreds of others just like them before it is too late.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Vetterlein
The United Orphaned Children's Fund of Pennsylvania