“Our country receives even more destruction,” says Roman, Pochaiv site director. “Destruction of not only infrastructure, but also destruction of hearts, faith, hopes, economy, ecology...”
By God’s grace, there have been few incidents of families being directly affected by shelling. Nonetheless, no family can escape the economic collapse, unemployment, inflation, blackouts, and bitter Ukrainian winter cold. Chalice site staff report dramatic, steady increases in prices of food, medicine, and transportation.
In all three Chalice sites – Pochaiv, Ternopil, and Lviv - staff keep close communication with the families and family circles. They are there to accompany them through the hard times and pray with them for family members who have been called up to defend the country.
Roman describes their approach in three steps. “First of all - love. Secondly, additional financial assistance. Thirdly, with strong, daily, and supplicating prayer.”
Since March 2022, Chalice supporters have been providing all three. For the additional financial assistance, they have been sending that through our Ukraine Regional Assistance fund. Through it, families have received extra relief money in their sponsorship accounts.
Over two years, the families have used these funds to weather the crises. According to site staff, they have “ensured the sponsored families have had financial resources available to get their priority needs met or taken care of to purchase foods, medicine, medical care, hygiene products, diapers [for children with disabilities], school supplies, outerwear for the children, utilities cost covered, necessary home repairs done, the essential home appliances repaired or replaced, etc.”
"There is no doubt that we will not be able to cover all our daily needs with these funds, but for many families every penny is extremely important right now,” says Roman.
Please consider making a donation now. A generous private donor has agreed to match donations up to $500,000, doubling your impact.
“We thank you for this,” says Roman. “We continue to hold on, we love you and we pray for you, for all donors and Chalice staff.”
Sponsors can also continue donating special money directly to their sponsored child and their family. Please call us at 1.800.776.6855 and we'll be happy to assist.
About Chalice in Ukraine
Since 1998, Chalice supporters have opened their hearts to the people of Ukraine. We now support more than 4000 children there at three sites: Pochaiv, Lviv and Ternopil. Our Pochaiv site, named after a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, is in the regions of Volyn and Ivano-Frankisvsk; the Ternopil and Lviv sponsor sites are named for the geographic regions they serve. All three are in the west of Ukraine, but are still affected by Russia’s military action.
Though many of the attacks have focused on the eastern part of the country, there has been activity to the west, including attacks on airfields, towers, and military units. More are anticipated, and many residents are sheltering.
As the situation evolves, sites may identify other urgent needs that could be supported by this relief fund.
Sponsors can also continue donating special money directly to their sponsored child and their family. Please call us at 1.800.776.6855 and we'll be happy to assist.
As always, we invite you to join us in praying for our sites in Ukraine, and for all Ukrainians. Our Lady of Kyiv, pray for Ukraine!
Project Code: DF URR0322