17.05.12
Zavtra.UA’s 5th Annual Youth Forum was held on 12-14 May near Kyiv. This is the first private nationwide program which supports talented youngsters; its goal is to help create and strengthen a new generation of intellectuals and activists in Ukraine.
Zavtra.UA awards stipends annually through an open nationwide competition. Full time, day students in their 3rd through 6th year of study at Level 4 accredited Ukrainian establishments of higher education or at Partner establishments are invited to compete. Winners are chosen on the following criteria: a high level of professional knowledge, independent research and leadership, communication and creative skills.
320 winners of this year’s 6th annual competition, from over 100 HEIs and winners from previous competitions (activists from social and community projects functioning as part of Zavtra.UA) gathered in Kyiv to participate in the Forum.
Young Talented Ukrainians Gathered to Develop a Project Aimed to Help Vulnerable Segments of Society
Employees of Caritas Germany Visited their Colleagues in Ivano-Frankivs’k to Help them Help Disabled Ukrainians
15.05.12
A delegation from the Caritas Fulda Eparchy in Germany visited the Ivano-Frankivs’k Caritas from 7-10 May. This was their third visit and it was designed to support and teach Ukrainians how to operate Centres of Recreation and Social Adaptation for Disabled Youth.
The Fulda delegation consisted of 5 individuals this year: Christian Sharfa, Public Affairs Coordinator; Kristine Klintsing, Director of Programs for Geriatric Homes; Bernda Vistrakha, Director of Professional Workshops; Holger Shvana, Director of Training Workshops for the Severely Disabled and Peter Zauer, Director of the Disabled Recreation Club.
During the first day of the visit employees of the Ukrainian Caritas met with the parents of disabled children and employees of the German Caritas. During this meeting, the Centre’s Coordinator detailed how the workshops for the disabled function, what methods are used to help disabled children adapt to mainstream society and what recreation and relaxation activities are organized for the clients.
In Warsaw held the Caritas Europe Regional Conference with the participants from nearly 50 European countries
14.05.12
During 10-12 May in Warsaw (Poland) was held the Regional Conference of Caritas Europe. The 47 member organisations are represented during the conference by their presidents, secretary generals and directors. Caritas Ukraine’ president Andrij Waskowycz and general secretary Anatoliy Kozak joined the meeting as well.
Previous conferences have been held in Dubrovnik, Mainz, Bled, Brussels, El Escorial and Rome. This year’s gathering is taking place in the Polish Bishops’ Conference venue in Warsaw. President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Robert Sarah, will give the opening speech.
The first conference day program included reports and financial analysis of Caritas Europe work for the last 2 years.
Employees from Caritas Ivano-Frankivs’k went on the Holy Robe Pilgrimage in Trier and Met with Local Partners
13.05.12
Under the slogan “Unite that which has been separated,” recently delegates from the Caritas Ivano-Frankivs’k UGCC went on the Holy Robe Pilgrimage in Trier (Germany).
The Holy Robe is clothing that belonged to Jesus Christ and it is the most priceless item at the Cathedral of Trier. The Holy Robe has been kept there closed and inaccessible to the human eye for centuries. This relic is exhibited for public veneration only rarely--during organized pilgrimages to the Holy Robe. In the last century the Holy Robe Pilgrimages occurred only three times, in 1933, 1959 and 1996.
Since the first pilgrimage, millions of people from across the world have made the pilgrimage to the Holy Robe. Pilgrims include the faithful and the inquisitive. The 2012 Holy Robe Pilgrimage asked the faithful questions about reunion, reconciliation and humility while giving them great hope. The Holy Robe is not just a shirt, it is a garment of our Saviour who “For us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was made man.”
Ophthalmologists from the Netherlands Give Sight to Caritas Clients
11.05.12
Evidente, a charitable mission of Dutch and Ukrainian Ophthalmologists visited the charitable organization Caritas Ivano-Frankivs’k at the end of April.
For the fourth year in a row Ukraine the Henri Nouwen foundation has funded foreign specialists and young Ukrainian doctors that offer free eye exams to the less fortunate members of society in Africa, Eastern Europe and financed. In two days doctors examined nearly 90 individuals in Ivano-Frankivs’k including: 25 isolated elderly individuals, 35 young mentally disabled individuals and 30 children from disadvantaged families or from families where a parent is working abroad. Some of those examined obtained glasses immediately; others will receive glasses in the next couple of months, made and shipped from Holland.
“When compared to how the foreigners treated their patients, people in Ukraine, especially those judged to be in low socio-economic class, are treated terribly. It is very important for patients to be treated with respect, dignity and care because this is what we are most lacking in our lives, especially as we age.

















