Mulberry International has a clear,
well crafted vision for the future.
The challenge is significant to say the least. As you walk the streets of Simferopol, you’ll quickly realize that the hopes and dreams we have planned for our own children are beyond the wildest imagination of the youth seen scattered about. With tens-of-thousands under the age of ten, these young lives are thrust into a struggle for existence in their critical formative years. Many may never again experience a consistently safe environment, let alone the love and compassion of a nurturing family. Their world becomes a harsh hierarchy, where any substance or pleasure that might temporarily alter their hopeless reality is bought, sold and used as currency. The young learn from the teenage veterans, rapidly erecting emotional barriers to stay alive. The staff at Project Sasha (Pilgrim) welcomes all who come for a hot meal, fresh clothes and counseling. The goal is to get the children off of the streets, not to make street life easier. Much of the work involves tracking down official government forms from agencies that are less than eager to help. In everything, the intention is to show Christ’s love to this group of “the least of these.”
Through a loving Ukrainian Project Compassion staff, abandoned babies are held daily. Their basic needs like nourishing food, clean clothing, medicine and a gentle touch are provided.
The Foster parents of Dyetski Dom provide a safe home with a Christian environment for as many as eleven children. These children grow in a home that is as close to normal as possible. They play the expected childhood games, like “family” with the most coveted roles being Papa and Mama. Without this ministry, family would have a very different feel and Papa and Mama would not be desired roles. They also experience the love of a Heavenly Father. The opportunity is massive. These are lives that can be completely remolded to the image of Christ while they’re in the critical formative years. They can go on and continue to spread the love of God as they grow up into productive adults, knowing the salvation of God and the love of His Church. Without support however, the impact we can make is a fraction of the need. Children on the streets and in state facilities of the Ukraine exist in utter hopelessness. They know the coming day will be filled with anxiety, insecurity and danger. They believe life has abandoned them and they have little chance of recovery. Without the help of people like us, they are sadly correct. If you can manage any gift at all, it could exponentially change the life of a child. All we need to transform these buildings of brick and mortar into homes of love and safety is financial support. Mulberry’s success is the commitment to consistently building in to the locals a vision for the Ukraine that is full of the love of Christ and His provision. It’s by this that we know this will be a lasting work and good ground for your seed. It won’t happen overnight but as the families see the unconditional love and compassion of your gifts, the ingrained culture of apathy will be transformed from within. In a place where destitution abounds, Mulberry International is beginning to shine like a light set on a hill.