Tuesday, March 10, 2015

This Child Here - Zhanna College Bound

Beginning in 2015, we will be paying the college education of a girl named Zhanna. Zhanna Ismailova grew up in a large family without a father in a small village in the Odessa area, and for a while lived in the shelter of The Way Home, non-profit charity in Odessa. Zhanna loves to cook and planning to study a restaurant business. Last summer she worked at a restaurant in Odessa as a chief cook`s assistant. According to her, she wanted give it a try, "I just wanted to see whether I like it or not... And I liked it!" She liked it enough to take what money she had and pay for a half a year of her education, but soon realized that she could not continue working and studying at the same time. She asked This Child Here for help. We said yes.  We will pay her tuition, room and books.

Our thanks to all who support This Child Here, we wish all the best for Zhanna on her way!

Dr. Robert Gamble,

Executive Director, This Child Here     
www.thischildhere.org
https://www.facebook.com/ThisChildHereUkraine        




This Child Here Ministry Update February/March 2015

Odessa is quiet.  I notice fewer cars on the streets.  The truce is holding, they say.  But the big problem now is inflation.  Last year the exchange rate was 1 dollar - 10 grivnas. By the beginning of February it was  1:15; today it is 1:33.  There is the beginning of a panic here, people buying food and supplies with what cash they have in anticipation of runaway inflation.  Everything is cheap for us, the apartment, the restaurants; but Ukrainians are in trouble.  Most all are paid in grivnas. 

Those who work for This Child Here are paid by value of the dollar.

Below are scenes from a workshop this month in the Teenage Rehabilitation Center of Odessa, Ukraine. Some familiar faces and some new ones. It's all about helping kids open up and encouraging self-awareness, reflection on their own behavior, and adapting to new kids in the center.

Yulia and I are here until March 12th.

Dr.Robert Gamble
Executive Director, This Child Here
www.thischildhere.org
https://www.facebook.com/ThisChildHereUkraine