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In the early nineties Ukraine suffered a severe economic crisis that deeply affected society. Many industries closed, leaving behind unemployment and a sharp decline in people’s well being and social protection. Drained by endless hopelessness and poverty, many people threw up their hands in despair. A great number of homeless people, alcoholics, and individuals leading immoral lives appeared. Their children survived by living in basements of houses, underground crosswalks, unfinished buildings, and train stations. Hungry and dirty, they shifted on the streets in groups. Begging and thievery became their main means of survival.
Christians, with pain in their hearts and prayers on their lips, asked God how to help these children in a practical way. Give bread and water…but what further? What would become of them by this way of life?Who would show them the way out?
For the satisfaction of their vital needs, children require warmth, comfort, care, love, clothing, and food.
For a two year stretch (1994-1996) ten sisters in Christ prayed constantly about the possibility of helping these children. The Lord answered our prayers! The idea was born to establish a shelter for children. Its goal was to satisfy the children’s physical needs, tell them about God and His love for them, teach them spiritual truths, and impart love into hardship.
Work began to receive permission from local authorities to open an institution for children.
In 1996, we purchased part of a building for the opening of a children’s shelter. Although the building appeared to be in poor condition (dilapidated floors, windows without panes, damaged walls), we rejoiced and thanked God for this favor and the privilege of doing His work!
The renovation commenced. Already by the 20th of December 1996, the first child, Sergei Tikhonov, arrived at the Shelter. By the official opening of the Good Shepherd Shelter on 24 April 1997, fifteen children were already staying with us! We thanked God that these fifteen children had a warm, comfortable place to stay.
In the period between 1996 and 2007, the Good Shepherd Shelter has helped more than 1200 abandoned children. Praise be to God!
By Ukrainian law, a child may stay at a shelter for minors for a length of three months. After that period a family must be found for the child or the child must be sent to a government orphanage. Many children leave for government run boarding schools (internats) where conditions currently remain difficult, both in terms of material resources and spiritual help. The Lord tells us in the Bible: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) We continued to call upon the Lord about our children. We asked God for the possibility that children could stay with us as long as possible.
In 2003, thanks to support and active participation from the Schmidt Family Foundation (BC Canada) and Harry Schmidt himself, we were able to purchase a former school building in our city. After a substantial renovation of the building restored and children have found their home here.
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