ukraine | city of contrasts
Wed, Aug 6, 2008
Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine is a city of contrasts. There is a large segment of the population which lives in poverty, worse than anything I have seen in Canada yet the number of upper class citizens is growing, and unfortunately, with little concern for social justice. There exists a small middle class, and after speaking to a couple who fall into this group I have come to realize they are often segregated.Jesus died for the whosoever. He transcends all social barriers and over the last two years The Salvation Army in Dnepr has worked at doing the same.
One day as I walked down Karl Marx Avenue, the main street lined with high end shops I saw three young boys hanging on to the back of the tram to catch a free ride. The Officers said it was a common sight to see homeless children travelling this way. Walking along on the same street I realized I had to watch my step because many of the man-hole covers were missing. People steal them to sell for money. Sadly, many homeless children take shelter in the underground sewers during the cold winter.
So what can be done to help in this city of contrast – fancy shops and homeless children? Here there are no tax benefits for donating money for social services. Rather, the agencies that supply social services are heavily taxed. Yet showing the love of God costs nothing and that is why I have enjoyed my time visiting the Children’s Shelter so much. These are street children who have been given a chance to live. I am able to spend time with them playing games, and teaching Bible lessons, and it is my prayer when I hug them they will know that God loves them.
posted by Hannah Jeffery
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