Thank YOU for helping us spread Christmas cheer to Odessa’s orphaned and displaced children!
Christmas was a little brighter this year for all of the children that we serve in Odessa! The smiling faces in these pictures are a result of your care and generosity. On behalf of all of the children and the entire UAC-Ukraine team, THANK YOU!
Igor played "Santa" at Orphanage #9
Gifts for the little ones at #9
Kids at Orphanage #34 enjoyed stockings stuffed full!
Kids at #34 received hand-knitted items from Lynette Eads & friends
Children at Alexandrovka received stockings after their Christmas play
Warm, winter pants
Igor gave out new pajamas which were donated by Deb Fekany and friends!
This little guy was thrilled to get some new PJs! :-)
New sweaters for girls at the Orphanage for the Blind
Warm sweaters for girls at the Orphanage for the Blind
New sweaters make for big smiles! :-)
Brand new snowboards for the kids at Orphanage #4 thanks to Lucky Bums, Inc.!
Igor delivered new socks and underwear to the boys at Fontanka
Donated stockings brought some Christmas joy to Slobadka
Christmas at Slobadka
Lindsay packed boxes of Christmas donations in the U.S....
...off to Odessa
Luda and kids sorted our donations and packed stockings for the children.
Medicine, nutrition, and some TLC help boys at Fontanka recover from the flu
Since the beginning of the year, boys and caregivers at Fontanka have been sick with the flu. Sick children have been quarantined on the third floor, while healthy children and staff have kindly taken care of them. “True friendship has been shown!” said UAC’s Igor Shepyeta. Igor has worked to speed up the boys’ recovery process by bringing them medicine, fruit, and drawing materials to help pass the time. The boys and staff were happy to have Igor’s company and assistance!
Igor brought clementines for the sick children
Doing artwork helps pass the time!
Kids at Orphanage #4 receive brand new snowboards thanks to Lucky Bums!
Children at Orphanage #4 were happy to receive some brand new snowboards for Christmas, thanks to Jeff Streeter from Lucky Bums! Jeff and Lucky Bums generously donated several dozen new snowboards for the children that we serve in Odessa. With the recent snowstorms in Odessa, the kids are sure to enjoy their new gear! THANKS, LUCKY BUMS!
GoodSearch.com– You’re a click away from earning funds for UAC-Ukraine!
If you happen to be reading this blog, you are probably used to searching the internet on a regular basis! Now a great charity minded website called GoodSearch.com allows you to search the internet and donate to your favorite charity (UAC-Ukraine!) at the same time. Simply go to GoodSearch.com, type “Universal Aid for Children” in the “WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR?” box, and then click “verify.” Afterwards, you will be ready to search away! For every search you perform on GoodSearch.com (as opposed to Yahoo, Google, etc.), GoodSearch will donate a small amount of money to Universal Aid for Children (Ukraine Program). Spread the word to your friends, family, and co-workers, and let’s watch the funds add up! Every little bit helps!
A peek inside the November, 2009 Scholarship Program meeting!
In addition to their monthly scholarship, students were happy to receive clothing and toiletry items that had been donated by many generous individuals! Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the Scholarship Program– Your donations put smiles on the students’ faces and make their lives a little brighter! 
Scholarship Program Success Story!
Scholarship student Larissa Batalova is one of many examples of what students can accomplish through UAC’s Orphaned Teen Scholarship Program! One year ago Larissa graduated from the Art Department of Odessa Teaching University, and recently she received her Certificate of Interior Design. Larissa is now working as a designer at a private firm. UAC congratulates Larissa on all of her accomplishments!
Larissa at work!
School supplies, toys and clothing for The Shelter thanks to a great volunteer!
UAC would like to extend a big “THANK YOU” to Colton Shoemaker and friends for arranging a donation drive for the children in Odessa! Colton and his team collected school supplies, toys and clothing, and the children at The Shelter were happy to receive the gifts. Hats off to Colton for his hard work and dedication to the cause!
Boys at Orphanage #4 enjoy a tasty cooking lesson!
A small group of boys at Orphanage #4 recently enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a cooking class in the building’s home-ec kitchen. For a while, the kitchen could not be used by the children due to faulty electrical wiring and a lack of cookware and kitchen supplies. Thanks to UAC, these problems have been remedied! Svetlana the home-ec teacher is thrilled to be able to teach the children how to cook– And the children seem equally thrilled to learn! Cooking is an important life skill that children in the orphanages often fail to learn, so we are all excited about the opportunities that the now-useable kitchen at #4 will bring about for the children there!
