"ARATTA" - Chernihiv Region Charity

	Chernihiv Region Charity “Aratta”	Укр
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July, 7-14, 2008.
Long way from Holland to “Aratta” in t.Chernihiv (Ukraine).

For about 10 years Chernihiv Regional Charity “Aratta” has been cooperating with the association “Network-Chernihiv” (Holland). The Head of the Association is Pieter Lettinga. The main point of cooperation is the support of social projects in Chernihiv Region.

Friends of “Network-Chernihiv”: Harm Jan Wieringa, Klaas Wierbos, Pieter Lettinga, Rik Stuivenberg, Thys Verster have a very special hobby. They are fond of motobiking. So far, from 7th to 14th of July, 2008 a group leaded by Pieter L. undertook a drive to and across Ukraine by their motorbikes. It happened to be the longest drive in their life, sure, in sense of distance. The main objective of the visit to Ukraine was to get information about the public activity of different social associations in Ukraine and to find potential partners for development and implementation of new social programs at Chernihiv region.

The first check-point of the motor tour was picturesque city Uzhhorod in Transcarpathian region. At Perechyn town they paid a visit to Charity Fund “Centre of Public Initiatives”. Then the rout was laid through t.Lviv, which left bright impressions emphasized by the proper level of «Hostel association» hotel. Unforgettable was the meeting with the bishop of Volyn Region of Kyiv Patriarchy, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, vladyka Mikhail. He told his guests about spiritual path of Ukrainian people, about their history and revival of Ukrainian nation. Dutch guests were pleased to visit the monastery in Lutsk, where they were guided by father Svyatopolk, who is engaged, together with the other monks, into the renovation of the spiritual tenement at Volyn.

Further on the way there was Kyiv city. The bikers were astonished by the beauty but at the same time frightened. So brutal the road traffic was. And at last, after most pleasant four day trip across Ukraine, the group from Holland reached glorious Chernihiv city and was welcomed by members from their partnership organization Chernihiv Regional Charity “Aratta”. In friendly atmosphere the key items for cooperation were fruitfully discussed and agreed upon. As a result, the plan of joint cooperation concerning children from needy families, and abandoned children and children under institutional care was shaped. In the end of their visit to Chernihiv, the group of bikers called to Center of Humanistic Technologies “AHALAR”. They happened to come right at the time the training on “Communication Forms of Public Organizations with Mass Media” was held. Therefore members of the training group had a chance to talk to friends from Holland.

For many years the Dutch association “Network-Chernihiv” has been supporting the orphanage in Stara Basan village. They provided funds for building warm lavatories and shower-rooms, and for refectory reequipment. Pieter Lettinga, whose another hobby is photography, presented self-portrait to each child for long memory. In addition the guests had an important meeting with the Principal of the orphanage, Kovbasko Yuriy. During the meeting they discussed living conditions and educational curriculum as well as the issue of new gymnasium building, the last was agreed to be supported. The bikers highly appreciated the patriotic and spiritual education of the children provided at the institution under the management of the Principal.

The way back laid through Kyiv again. Furnished with gained confidence and perfect mood members of Dutch association started back. The way back will be much shorter for sure as it is the way home.