News from the Hope Center - November edition (updated)

Here is the latest incantation of the almost monthly "News from Hope Center" updates that Andrey sends out from Kerch, complete with some pictures for your reading enjoyment (I have added a few stories that will be in the final newsletter and corrected a few inaccuracies):  

Last week we were excited to host a reunion of former IVA (International Vocational School) students at the Hope Center which was attended by graduates from our first class in 2005.  They came together to have tea, play games, reminisce, look at pictures from their time at Hope Center and watch a movie together.  We were glad to hear about the progress that these students have made since we last saw them.  Here are some of the success stories from our IVA programs over the past years.

Sveta (2005 graduate)

Sveta grew up in a home with no father, an alcoholic mother and she ran away at only 14 years old.  Her mother went to jail for several years and she lived with friends for several years.  When Sveta was 16 she entered the IVA program in an effort to improve her difficult life.  In our program she studied computer skills and economics but she also received the saving knowledge of Christ.  Today Sveta is married and has a young daughter.  She and her mother now both attend a local church.  She says that the most important thing that she learned at IVA was that she is loved by God and she wants to extend that love and provide the best for her child.

Roman (2007 graduate)

Roman came to us as a young man without many prospects but interested in the opportunity to earn a driver’s license through our technical training.  He also received instruction in drafting, woodworking, welding, economics, English, computers and Bible lessons.

Today Roman works for the city medical department in Kerch where they have made good use of the skills he learned at Hope Center.  He drives a burley 4-wheel drive to transport necessary medical materials and personnel between hospitals and to the homes of those in need.

Artur (2007 graduate)

Artur studied along side Roman and also took full advantage of the opportunity to learn a variety of skills.  After graduation he stayed at Hope Center through the summer as a volunteer, cleaning the grounds and helping with camp activities.  His attitude, sense of humor and improving English skills made him a popular character with both local staff and internationals.  In the fall of 2007 he went to Moscow for work and did very well.  When he returned at the beginning of last summer he was brimming with confidence, ready to take on any challenge.  He worked at Hope Center again in 2008, this time as security.

Today he is the personal driver for a local businessman and is a frequent visitor to the camp that gave him the opportunity and knowledge which he is using to succeed.

Roman (2008 graduate)

Roman is only 6 months out of our most recent IVA program but already he has taken advantage of the education he acquired at the Hope Center.  We were always impressed by the Roman’s intelligence and work ethic and knew that he would be able to use his new-found skills well.  He quickly received a job with bread company which is owned by the city of Kerch.  When he got the job, he was pleasantly surprised at the good wages that his skills garnered.  He is now responsible for delivering bread to hospitals, businesses and maybe sometimes even to us at camp.  He and his girlfriend Yula (also an IVA graduate) visit frequently to keep us updated and for friendly conversation.

Dima (2007 graduate)

Dima is from a village just north of Kerch.  He came to IVA as a means to escape his troubled childhood and self-destructive lifestyle.  He took to driving quickly and after his IVA graduation was hired on full-time at the Hope Center.  He worked with us for 18 months helping with facilities, programs and in the kitchen.  This fall he accepted a job offer from an tool and appliance store in downtown Kerch.  He is using his driving skills now in delivering large items to customers all over the Kerch area.

Vlad (2008 graduate)

Vlad is from the city of Armyansk in northern Crimea.  When he arrived at the Hope Center he instantly became a leader within the class.  His English skills, age and maturity made him an integral part of camp life.  After graduation he returned home to work with his step-father’s construction business temporarily but soon found a promising position as a truck driver.  He now works with his city’s electrical department driving the lift truck used for power line repair.

If you are inspired by these stories of our ministry in Ukraine, please consider donating to another of our programs - Christian children's camps - by the link on the top of the sidebar at right.