flickr logo photo superimposed on photos of Sergei's class.How can we help Sergei with his “Healthy Living, Starobelsk!” project? That question has been on my mind the last few weeks.
I've written about how one thing leads to another here. It’s part of the Peace Corps experience. It happened with Victoria NGO and the Starobelsk Library, and now it is happening with the Healthy Living class I attended at the University, taught by Sergei Budyonny. After presenting him with photos of his class, we talked about his project.
Sergei would like to offer more Healthy Living programs for at–risk youth and young adults, reach out into the community more, as well as teach at the University. Drug abuse, alcoholism, HIV/Aids, and family violence are major issues here like in other parts of Ukraine, I'm learning. “It all seems so hidden,” I said to Sergei. “Yes, it is, because no one talks about it. They pretend these problems don’t exist here, but they do. They do." Then I remembered hearing Vera, at Victoria NGO, talk about domestic violence, alcoholism, and the lack of any intervention.
Are there any social services or government help? Sergei shook his head. Programs are limited. The City's family services department has too few resources to address the issues adequately, and the schools spend little effort in reaching their students. What a shame.
Sergei's Healthy Living project, through the local chapter of the Ukrainian Charitable Fund and ARDA, the Adventist social services nonprofit, would address these “hidden” health and social issues through ongoing public education and prevention programs, and eventually more intensive and extensive youth outreach. As far as I know, Sergei and his partner Oleg, an equally personable and enthusiastic person, are the only people able and willing to do this.
Sergei wants to be “a roving Healthy Living ambassador.” ровинг профилактики посол. Посол здорового образа жизни. He wants to offer programs around town that engage people in real conversations about the devastating consequences of drug abuse, alcoholism, sex without protection, and other alluring but dangerous activities including the porn industry, which is very big in Ukraine. Sergei wants to be able to show his videos and DVDs, and some powerpoint presentations: “to show the reality of the situation” and “to sound the alarm that we as a community need to do something about it.” He is a very effective and passionate spokesperson.
So what do you need? “Simple,” he answered right away, “a projector, a laptop, and a screen!" He has a great collection of teaching materials. He said he can get supplies from agencies he works through (the Ukrainian Charitable Fund and ARDA). Oleg would work during the day when Sergei is at the computer store, and he would work at night.
That’s it? "Yep, I’d pack ‘em up, get help from the agencies for printing flyers and publicity, and off we'd go, into the schools, the streets, wherever.”
I've written about how one thing leads to another here. It’s part of the Peace Corps experience. It happened with Victoria NGO and the Starobelsk Library, and now it is happening with the Healthy Living class I attended at the University, taught by Sergei Budyonny. After presenting him with photos of his class, we talked about his project.
Sergei would like to offer more Healthy Living programs for at–risk youth and young adults, reach out into the community more, as well as teach at the University. Drug abuse, alcoholism, HIV/Aids, and family violence are major issues here like in other parts of Ukraine, I'm learning. “It all seems so hidden,” I said to Sergei. “Yes, it is, because no one talks about it. They pretend these problems don’t exist here, but they do. They do." Then I remembered hearing Vera, at Victoria NGO, talk about domestic violence, alcoholism, and the lack of any intervention.
Are there any social services or government help? Sergei shook his head. Programs are limited. The City's family services department has too few resources to address the issues adequately, and the schools spend little effort in reaching their students. What a shame.
Sergei's Healthy Living project, through the local chapter of the Ukrainian Charitable Fund and ARDA, the Adventist social services nonprofit, would address these “hidden” health and social issues through ongoing public education and prevention programs, and eventually more intensive and extensive youth outreach. As far as I know, Sergei and his partner Oleg, an equally personable and enthusiastic person, are the only people able and willing to do this.
Sergei wants to be “a roving Healthy Living ambassador.” ровинг профилактики посол. Посол здорового образа жизни. He wants to offer programs around town that engage people in real conversations about the devastating consequences of drug abuse, alcoholism, sex without protection, and other alluring but dangerous activities including the porn industry, which is very big in Ukraine. Sergei wants to be able to show his videos and DVDs, and some powerpoint presentations: “to show the reality of the situation” and “to sound the alarm that we as a community need to do something about it.” He is a very effective and passionate spokesperson.
So what do you need? “Simple,” he answered right away, “a projector, a laptop, and a screen!" He has a great collection of teaching materials. He said he can get supplies from agencies he works through (the Ukrainian Charitable Fund and ARDA). Oleg would work during the day when Sergei is at the computer store, and he would work at night.
That’s it? "Yep, I’d pack ‘em up, get help from the agencies for printing flyers and publicity, and off we'd go, into the schools, the streets, wherever.”
Public Education and Prevention. It can be done. I added it up in my head and figure Sergei needs about $1,000 to start, not a lot in American dollars but prohibitive in Ukrainian hryvnia at an 8% exchange rate. Actually, I'd like to add $500 for a good public relations campaign, big billboards and a media blitz. A little goes a long way in Ukraine.
Now I’m thinking about writing another Partnership grant. I don't have time for a Peace Corps Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant or I'd go that route. I've emailed PC about my intentions. I can’t promise anything, I told Sergei. But he's ready to go, bless his heart. His commitment is strong. No matter what happens, he will continue to fight for Healthy Living Starobilsk. I hope we can help. Your thoughts are welcomed.
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