News overview 2012
17-5-2012
Start weekend Camp Ukraine 2012
As off Friday we were hosted by YMCA camping centre Leusden (near Amersfoort) to have our Camp Ukraine 2012 start weekend. Every year we do have a start weekend, next to our monthly preparatory meetings during the evening, in order to get acquainted to each other. The site of the YMCA camp centre is very suitable for this purpose! Sleeping in tents , food is arranged, while you are a few days in the beautiful woods of “Den Treek” estate.
The weekend was also the moment we met the three ladies from Rouveen (part of Staphorst) for the first time as they will join us this summer. The organising committee had established a tough programme: acquaintance game, customs game, decorate a box, bite into a candy, barbecue and a camp service on Sunday morning. And of course information was provided on the culture, daily life and customs in Ukraine. Everything was covered. There was hardly time for sleeping not the least because it was a bit chilly as well. Most members of the group left for home Sunday afternoon. Some staid till Monday morning. We could look back at a marvellous start weekend!
21-04-2012
Foundation Oekroe Walking Diner very successful!
It was a pleasant busy evening April the 19th in the cosy restaurant H2O at Rijnsburg. A sponsor dinner was held here to raise money for the refurbishment projects in Ukraine. End of May 12 volunteers, from “working Hands" will depart to Ukraine, in order to convert two existing buildings into a crèche for children of 3 – 6 years old. A lot of money is needed for those projects and a diner with sponsors is one of the possibilities to raise money. About 50 people enjoyed a delicious dinner cooked by chefs John, Robin and Erik. During the evening everyone was informed on the projects of the last 5 years by means of film and photographs, etc. Someone from the audience got a surprise in the form of a portrait to be painted by local artist Jasper van Delft!
In summary an evening where the audience enabled a profit of € 2500, - net, which is another boost for the projects will be realized! All attendees are thanked you for the contribution! The evening is also a success due to the hospitable and spontaneous owners of H2O restaurant at Rijnsburg with sponsoring by the following businesses: Bekooij Butcher, Bakery Van Tilburg, Albert Heijn, Bakkery Rhijnsburger, Karel de Mooij fruits and even a fish wholesale from Groningen! Thank to all our sponsors!
06-01-2012
Second orientation Working Hands
During the first week of the new year Jaap, Jos and Johan are visiting Ukraine for the second time to prepare for Working Hands 2012. The trip is quite special in various ways: the group arrived at Odessa airport and travels by car alongside potentially new and already finished projects in north westerly direction and will depart from Kiev airport on Saturday. Friday 6 January is orthodox Christmas in Ukraine which is a special experience as such.
After a good flight the group arrives Monday afternoon at Odessa airport. Although Foundation Oekroe used this airport once before in 2006, this route is quite unusual for Foundation Oekroe. At Odessa airport the group is welcomed by Sandor and Oksana from Foundation Help for the poor. The group travels by car to Bilozerka where they stay overnight. Tuesday they visit an orphanage in the vicinity of Gerson (Kherzon) as well as some other potential projects. Then it's time to start a long trip to the north west, a trip of 600 km! There is a hold-up of 4 hours as a bearing needs to be replaced. They spend the night en-route in a hotel. After an early start the group arrives during the morning in a small village near Derazhnya to have a look at a potential project. The Oekroe delegation is welcomed by half the population of the village while the kids sing a song for them. After lunch the group leaves for Kiyanka (project 2009) not far from NovoGrad. The creche in this farmer's village is in operation for half days. The group stays overnight a the "professor" in Novograd. Tuesday morning they visit a potential project in Shepatolka which looks very good. Then they go to Hrytsiv (project 2011). The renovated building, which looks splendid, has been taken into use as a physical therapy center for kids. The group meets thankful people. After replacing a flat tire the group says farewell to Oksana and Sandor and search an hotel together with Bodghdan. Friday, Orthodox Chtistmas in Ukraine, Lozove (project 2010) is visited as well as some other projects in Derazhnya. Friday afternoon on this banking holiday the group relaxes and hit the sack early. Saturday morning 3.30am the group is picked up by a cab for their transfer to airport Zulhany at Kiev where they arrive well in time. Foundation Oekroe neever used this old city airport before. Their departure for Dortmund is 12.30pm where they will be picked up for their final trip home.
It has been a trip full of surprises. The temperature was around zero, cold but luckily no snow. THe group has had a marvelous trip and meet many new people and collected lots of useful information. They have seen various potential projects for Working Hands 2012. In the near future the board of the foundation will select the renovation projects for the 2012 season.
Jaap