Post #4: The Neglected Crisis a World Away

I have been overwhelmed by support from friends and family in the past couple of weeks. It has been encouraging to see so many people ask to get involved in the trip. But while the bike trip is certainly exciting, and I am getting myself in gear for it, I want to use this platform to share the untold story of a crisis a world away. If I can borrow a minute of your day, I think that the story of the plight of orphans in Ukraine is one that deserves your attention.

Where are their parents??

It's hard to imagine turning your child out on the streets or leaving a newborn in the hospital, but every year more than 1,000 newborns are left in hospitals and are eventually handed over to shabby, state run orphanages. More shocking still is the presence of more than 100,000 orphans in the country, 30,000 of whom live in cramped, underdeveloped orphanages. Many thousands of orphans have no homes at all. Economic conditions in some of Ukraine's most impoverished districts have caused parents to abandon their children. But as you might expect, the primary source of orphans is single mothers, often still teenagers, who lack the ability or the confidence to raise young children. The result is a destructive cycle of orphans who become parents who create orphans.

So how bad is it?

An orphan crisis of this magnitude has devastating consequences. For example, 60-70% of boys who are forced to leave state run orphanages at age 16 turn to crime to sustain themselves. The same percentage of girls turn to prostitution. Crime and prostitution are generating other problems. Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming rampant and a generation of fatherless children are growing up without any perception of authority. Perhaps that is the reason that 1 in 6 orphans will commit suicide before turning 30.

Who is helping?

There is some encouraging news. Sometimes in the worst places, God is working the hardest. There are 9,700 protestant or evangelical churches in Ukraine, 280 Christian missions, and 400 Christian rehab centers. Young Life (www.younglife.org) is working with faith based orphanages, some of which specialize in caring for mentally disabled orphans, to provide as much structure and and support as they can. The money that I raise is going to Young Life's ministry.

I hope this puts the problem in perspective. Ukraine is not a random country that happens to have orphans. There is a very real crisis there and a very real opportunity to show young children what the love of Christ looks like.

If you would like to know more, or if you would like to become involved in my effort to raise awareness about these orphans, please do not hesitate to comment or shoot me an email (russell.york@gmail.com). I implore you to prayerfully consider making a donation of any amount.

More updates about the trip coming soon!

-Russell