“Clear heart – clean city”

On the eve of celebrating the holiday of bright Christ’s birthday in the Petrivske village was held the action “Clear heart – clean city”.

Every year getting ready for celebration we organize a small cleaning day. This time it was on Friday, at 4 pm we gathered by the village council building in a good mood, all the caregivers and children of Father’s House, members of local “Salvation” church and even our friends – volunteers from Sweden.

Roman Korniyko divided all people into groups, and gave everyone an area and work to do. In few minutes the work was started – children were carefully gathering trash into bags, gathering broken branches, raking up the ground. And soon it stared to rain, the works were not stopped, but the very opposite they gained some excitement and interests. It’s hard to imagine that on such a small territory 300 bags of trash were gathered!

A little wet, but very pleased with results of their work children and adults came back to Otchiy Dim, were everyone was offered delicious pizza and hot tea.

After such efforts in cleaning the street, you will think over should you litter again?

“Shvydko” restarurants help “Otchiy Dim”

On April 2, at the net of “Shvydko” fast-food restaurants the charity action “Let’s help together” has been started, thanks to which sport ground for “Ochiy Dim” will be finally built.

Everyone who during the period of April May will come to the “Shvydko” restaurants to taste their favorite Ukrainian dishes can join to this good deed.

From every paid bill 5 kopeykas will be taken to the fund of playground building. And for those who would like to make a personal input – special “Magnets of Kindness” are prepared, five Hryvnas each!
So, have a good meal and see you!

Happy Easter!

Dear friends,

On these sunny spring days
We would like to greet you with
This great Holiday of a bright Resurection of Christ.

This became the victory Of love, kindness, truth and faith
This is a safe proof of eternal life For everyone who belives.
So, let the wonderful Sunday
Inspire you for faithful ministry to God and people
For the joy of salvation
Which we received through this deed Of Jesus Christ our Savior!

”Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”1 Peter 1:3

With kind regards and prayers for You,
Roman Korniyko and big friendly family of “Otchiy Dim”

"Spring Flood" Drama Festival

Every spring in old city of Lviv, which is in Western Ukraine “Emmanuel” Christian theatre holds the “Spring Flood” festival. It is the fourth year already as “Dialogue” Theatre studio and “Singing Hearts” music group from “Father’s House” participates in it.

From all over Ukraine Theater and music groups, ensembles and singers come to participate. Through the whole year our children are getting ready for this festival, as this is a great chance for them not just to show and reveal their talents but also to make new friends and to learn some art skills from other groups, which is very important for their self-concept and develop them into strong personalities. In between the contests the very interesting cultural program for children is organized where they got to know some historical memorials of the Lion’s city, attend museums, temples and monuments. This widen their world-view, develops the sensitivity to art and teaches them respect traditions and culture of our country.

This year the festival took place right before the Easter so the theatre performance of the “Dialogue” studio named God’s Love was dedicated to this pure and bright holiday – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On these special days children wanted to show by this play that Love is strong enough and it overcomes all the difficulties and give us everlasting life. And no matter who you are this love accepts us and helps us to overcome hard times in life and obstacles.

The “Singing Hearts” music group sung songs of God’s love, which leads us to the heaven and gives joy on this wonderful day when Jesus was raised.
At the festival children have met new friends and strengthened relations with Emmanuel theatre and now are ready for new creative meetings in the following year.

The Helping Hand

On March 20 “Otchiy Dim” children arrived to the trip to orphanage for disabled girls in Poltavska oblast, Novi Sanjary village. As we arrived there were 86 girls at the orphanage, most of them are physically disabled in different degree, some are having Down syndrome, and there are also some mentally disabled: deaf, blind, dwarf and cerebral spastic infantile paralyzed.

By this trip we wanted to teach our children not just to receive gifts and aid for themselves but also to give away, to be compassionate to others. And also to learn to appreciate and be thankful for everything they have. Besides we really wanted the children to make new friends and keep in touch by correspondence in future.

We were getting ready to this trip in forehead, that’s why in the beginning of February at our centre we had “The Helping Hand” charity event; children as well as adults took part in this event. During the month children could gather some clothes, toys, bathroom stuff and some finances for girls. It was so wonderful that everything needed for this trip – expenses for patrol, stuff for orphanage we gathered through offerings.

Children prepared program for the girls – play “Peter Cat” and some songs. Children accepted us and were watching the play with great pleasure, and it was such a surprise for us to know that they also prepared a program and some presents for us as well. After the official part children acquainted with each other, and spent a lot of time in fellowship, took a picture as a keepsake, left their mailing addresses to keep in touch. There were no barriers between children in communication, in spite of physical defects these girls have, they remain children – and they also have a need in love, touch, hugs, they are all children and easily express their emotions.

After such trips it is impossible to remain indifferent or apathetic to these children, and compassion comes to their hearts and a great desire to help somehow. We have decided to take girls from the orphanage under our support and we will keep on taking care of them through our “helping Hand” events, and the most important through personal fellowship.