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Lena’s story: worthy of family and home

Written by Jo Ann Carr on . Posted in Housing for Orphans, Last Bell Blog, Orphaned Students, Photos, Restoration Project.

For sixteen years, Lena* lived in a physically and emotionally abusive home. Then she moved into a busy foster home.

Children respond to trauma in different ways, and Lena emerged from childhood as an outside-the-box thinker, highly motivated to succeed. She dreams of having a family and a nice home. She studies history at the university and works at McDonald’s. She’s saving money for the future.

It might look like Lena has everything. But what’s missing?

The answer is that most fundamental human need: Loving relationships. People who listen to her dreams and want the best for her. In childhood, Lena heard that she was worthless and would never succeed. As a teenager she didn’t have close friends. But in Last Bell’s staff, she found people “who always accept you and wait for you.”

A craft day at the Day Center (Lena not pictured).

Over and over we see how healing relationships draw in our youth. That’s why it’s one of our core values! Lena now comes to the Day Center regularly. She’s attended summer camp twice. She pays attention in life skills and cooking classes, and always asks interesting questions.

And Lena did have one big practical need: safe housing.

In Ukraine, most apartments are owned, not rented. About 20% of our youth inherit housing, and Lena had received a family apartment. But it wasn’t livable.

Last year, our Restoration Project crew began renovating the septic system and bathroom. Lena bought furniture and flooring. The crew installed the flooring this January.

In Ukraine last year, I saw Lena’s apartment under renovation, and met her at the Day Center’s spring cleaning day. It was easy to see that Lena and the other youth were part of a big family, learning together. -Emily M. (Lena not pictured.)

To you who made it all possible, Lena says,

“Thank you for the opportunity to feel wanted, and confident that I have a place to go and someone to turn to for help!”

*Not her real name

New Operations Director Announced

Written by Jo Ann Carr on . Posted in Educational Outreach, Last Bell Blog, Photos, Restoration Project.

Please join us in welcoming Andriy Balanchuk as our new Operations Director in Ukraine!

Andriy Balanchuk

You might be saying, “What happened to the other Andrey?”

Don’t worry, Andrey “Pank” Pankyeyev is still in charge. He and Oksana have worked with Last Bell’s youth for seventeen years, and Andrey has been our Ministry Director since 2014. He’ll continue to serve in that role.

But Andrey P.’s workload has grown with Last Bell. He wears all kinds of hats: supervisor of staff and daily ministry, property manager, Restoration Project director, and administrator of countless logistical tasks.

For three years we’ve been praying for an Operations Director to share the work. And in January, God provided Andriy. He’ll take over directing the Restoration Project, property management, and other tasks. Andriy is a gentle, humble person who also pastors a local church. He is married with three children.

We’ve added two Educational Outreach staff members as well! Dasha, the wife of staff member Ilya, joined us in late 2023. And Dmytro, the husband of our bookkeeper Lilly, will help with bookkeeping and work with soldiers.

Dasha
Dmytro

Many of you have prayed for our staffing, and we’re grateful. A full staff means better care for orphaned youth—having good conversations, trips to the doctor, tutoring, parenting classes, and meeting so many other needs. We’re encouraged by your friendship during this difficult time.

Photos: Two Years of War Relief in Ukraine

Written by Jo Ann Carr on . Posted in Last Bell Blog, Photos, War Relief.

When Russia began its full-scale invasion two years ago, we joined innumerable others bringing relief to Ukraine. You made it possible through your gifts to the war relief fund.

As we look back, we see so many ways your generosity served people suffering because of the war:

Through personal connections, our staff heard about needs in several nearby villages and brought humanitarian aid. Several staff members brought aid to the city of Malin, which was hit hard in the early weeks.

We already had a system for sending groceries and diapers to orphaned moms in rural villages. Thanks to your donations, we were able to add shipments to families with war-related needs.

In those first weeks, you covered gas and vehicle maintenance as our staff took trip after trip to the border, evacuating orphaned moms and kids. Visits to these relocated families brought encouragement during those frightening early months.

Early in the war, the Shelter served as a safe haven for evacuees headed to Poland, refugees who’d landed in Zhytomyr, and evacuees returning temporarily for paperwork or other needs.

Quickly the Shelter facility also became a logistical hub for storing and distributing humanitarian aid. We collected and packaged up supplies from the U.S., Canada, and Ukrainian friends for many families in need. Ministry partnerships became humanitarian aid networks.

Your funds provided supplies for soldiers, including our own orphaned youth on the front lines. Director Andrey checked the legitimacy of each request so your gifts would be used wisely. Our staff served as “family at home” who prayed for and encouraged orphaned youth in the military.

Our staff served many in our community who lost loved ones early in the war, including a mom from our Stop the Cycle program whose husband died. Your support allowed us to make repairs to her home.

Orphaned youth are often relegated to the margins of their society, but we invited them to participate in wartime projects for civilians: first aid classes, distributing humanitarian aid, planting trees for fallen soldiers, even making trench candles for soldiers.

The devastation of war can be overwhelming. But you’ve stepped in to help us ease the burden, one person at a time. We don’t take your support for granted. Thank you!