UOC of the USA Announces New Service Project: College Age Mission Trip to Ukrainian Orphanages and Charitable Institutions

This was announced by the Archbishop of the UOC US Daniel (Zelinsky) on Facebook.

College Mission Trip to Ukraine informs:

"We hope to bring aid and comfort to special needs orphans and orphanages in a country that currently does not have the means to do so. By our actions, we hope to show the face of Christ to these children, their caregivers, their administrators, our host families and all we come in contact with and by doing so reaffirm the Holy Orthodox Faith amongst the people of Ukraine.

We pray that by offering daily prayer services, as well as our love and works, that we will bring not only ourselves but all involved closer to Christ our God.

This mission is also devised to provide young adults with the opportunity to deepen and learn about their faith through true Christian witness, pilgrimage, fellowship, and love. Our Program

Eight college aged young adults are chosen from a pool of applicants to compose the Mission Team. The Team Members are led by a Spiritual Team Leader and a Lay Community Team Leader. While on site, the Team spends time with the children playing educational games, conducting a “special olympics’ type program, helping during meals and physical therapy, singing, performing short plays and special projects such as teaching the children basic gardening skills.

The activities are tailored to fit with children who have multiple disabilities such as: leukemia, physical deformity, Downs’ Syndrome, and mental disability to name a few. The team also helps with physical improvements to the facilities such as spackling walls, painting, repairs to furniture and wooden structures, and whatever may be needed at the time of trip.

The team will spend 10 days serving the special needs orphanages, soup kitchens and hospice care sponsored by the UOC of the USA".