Updates
From Jo Anne Lyon
Hope in
the Streets of Odessa
Tucked away in the news brief sections
of newspapers this past week was a startling headline
that reminds us one more time of the human capacity
for evil. The words particularly grabbed my attention
as I was headed for the identified country at that
very moment—it read, “Mass Holocaust grave
unearthed in Ukraine.”
I was traveling to Odessa, Ukraine, where World Hope
International (WHI) is partnering with World
Hope Canada to provide services and safety for
Odessa’s street children. The UN tells us there
are 100,000,000 street children in the world. This
number seems so overwhelming that we want to sit on
our hands and cry, helpless and hopeless. But I believe
we have the capacity to change this reality.
WHI’s work in Odessa began some eight years
ago when a young Canadian woman working with college
students there contacted me about her recent discovery.
"It is very cold here," she began her phone
conversation in a tearful voice, "and we just
discovered 60 children living in the sewers near the
flat where I live. Is there something you can help
us do?" I was sitting in a sun-filled office
on that cold, brisk day but the dark words and image
lingered in my spirit.
Others began to hear this cry for help and WHI soon
opened a "drop-in center” to provide temporary
care for Odessa’s street children. I had the
privilege of visiting that center this past week.
It is a flat located in the area where the street
children are most abundant. The First Steps center
is truly the first step for children to begin to trust,
be fed and clothed, take a shower, get clean clothes,
and even visit a nurse.
As I ate with the children at the center that night
I could barely believe the stories. A girl sat near
me as we sang. Her eyes were dulled from years of
sniffing glue. She was a "first timer" in
the center and I watched as the nurse carefully and
gently washed and bandaged the sores on her legs.
She sat quietly as if savoring each safe touch. At
only twelve, her age mocked years of survival experience.
Young girls like this trade sex with a gang of boys
in exchange for their protection from other gangs.
I watched her as she took in all the activities as
an observer. The staff treated her with great dignity.
I hope she returns.
Three nice looking older adolescents seated themselves.
They were dressed in clean casual clothes, had great
presence and spoke in caring tones with the children.
I found they had been former street kids who came
to First Steps several years ago. The staff worked
with them to get identification documents that would
allow them to escape the streets. Since street children
have no legal papers and no address, they are in a
sense non-existent. After these young men had their
papers, the staff tutored them and helped them finish
their basic education. Today, these young men have
jobs, a permanent place to live and First Steps still
welcomes them to come for meals anytime they wish.
I watched the children observe these three—here
they could see hope in action. First Steps has served
nearly 400 different children already this year.
After leaving First Steps I visited Hope House—a
home purchased by WHI through generous donations and
located on the outskirts of the city. The children
living here are the ones who responded positively
over time at First Steps and wanted to move more permanently
into a stable home. Moving to Hope House is significant
for the street children. In fact, one little eight
year old girl inquired after having lived a normal
life at Hope House for several weeks, "When do
I get a day off?" It was explained to her that
sleeping in a bed, living with family, eating regularly,
going to school, and helping with the chores was what
life was about.
Another boy, Vova, had lived on the streets for five
years and at age thirteen was one of the first residents
of Hope House. I asked him what difference Hope House
had made in his life. Without hesitation and in a
firm voice he responded, "The children
in the streets are hungry, scared and dying. If I
had not come here I would be dead."
Vova is now attending school and is learning mechanics
from the house father. He loves working on and driving
the tractor.
The twelve children now living at Hope House are flourishing
in every way. I had the privilege of worshipping with
them on Sunday morning, and as I saw them smiling,
exhibiting excellent social skills and entering into
the community of a Congregation, I realized what a
huge leap they had made—from living in the sewers
like animals to being children in a family. Hope House
was recently honored by the government of Ukraine
as the #1 facility in the country for quality care.
The House parents were awarded the "Social Workers
of the Year" award as well, and I consider myself
privileged to see the results of their efforts.
The last day of my trip I visited the Holocaust Memorial.
Our guide told the local stories but she too was stunned
at the new mass grave just discovered. She said, "They
burned the Jews alive and people nearby heard the
screaming for days but could not find out what or
where the screams were coming from."
I could not get this statement out of my mind. I then
thought of the young girl at First Steps—yes
her crying is more subtle. But I know where it is
coming from and I must respond.
I invite you to join us as we respond to the cries.
This outreach is critical to life and death among
Odessa’s youth, and your partnership is essential
for our continued work.
Thank you for helping preserve hope and life in the
streets of Odessa.
Join me as we join
the heart of God in doing His will.
Jo Anne Lyon
Founder & CEO
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