Chernihiv Region Charity
“Aratta”

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January, 12, 2012
Pieter Lettinga: Europeans have something to learn from Ukrainians

A guest from Holland visited Makoshino and tasted “kutya” in Ivanovka on Christmas Eve.

For a representative of a foreign charity it was not the first visit to Ukraine. During the 12 years of his close cooperation with the region charity “Aratta” Pieter travelled all over Chernihiv region. Once he even risked to travel by motorbike with a group of bikers. By the way, Pieter has product of the soviet motorcycle industry, “Ural”, in his own garage. It is quite old but still on the run.

Another hobby of the Dutch historian and a teacher is black-and-white photography. Photos made in our region center and out-of-the-way villages are included in special newsletter that is published and spread among those who gave donations for charity. It is done to inform them about places where their donations go to.

“Aratta” helps people, we help “Aratta” – in such a way Pieter Lettinga defined a short principle of cooperation with the local public organization.

Unlike many Ukrainian philanthropists whose activity is occasional (from holiday to elections), limited to fir trees, sweets, tangerines and done in front of photoflashes, the help of Western benefactors is constant and takes community needs into account. Such cooperation is useful not only in material sense. A foreigners’ opinion gives Ukrainians opportunity to look at themselves from the outside.