Outreach Projects - Outreach in Ukraine

This summer during the first two weeks of July, I went to Ukraine with an organisation called Youth for Christ. I was in a team with 8 other people from all over Northern Ireland. While we were there we helped to organise and lead two different camps in the region Zhytomyr, which is just North of Kiev, the country's capital.

The first week we stayed at a residential camp for teenagers. There were about 100 teenagers, 15-20 year olds and the majority of them were from a very deprived background, with very limited knowledge of Christianity. During the week we had a daily Bible Study, we organised craft activites, and played lots of different sports and games. Each morning and evening we had a service at which our Northern Ireland team gave personal testimonies, sang worship songs, and did a few dramas. During the week 30 young people made a personal commitment to become Christians. Please remember to pray for those young people and all of those who attended summer camps.

The Second week we helped at a Kids' camp, in a very socially deprived area. Quite a few of the children we were working with came from abusive homes, some were suffering from life threatening illnesses, such as tuberculosis (sometimes families could not afford the treatment). Everyday around one hundred kids walked or arrived by horse and cart to out camp from nearby houses and villages. We played lots of games with them, showed them how to make different crafts, sang songs, taught them Bible stories and verses, showing them God's love. I found it a very rewarding experience, but also very humbling, as they were all so grateful for everything we gave to them.

I really enjoyed my time in Ukraine, though it was not without its challenges and difficulties. I found it really hard to leave after the fortnight ended. I would just like to take this oppurtunity, to thank you all for your support, both prayerful and financial. I had an amazing experience in Ukraine and was grateful for your prayers. With your financial support I was able to provide more resources for the summer camp and Youth for Christ was able to send money to fund another 3 children's camps in Ukraine.

Louise Walker