Missionaries support Salesians in Ukraine impacted by war

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Mission Don Bosco in Turin, Italy, have been supporting Salesians in Ukraine during the war. Recently, Father Mykhaylo Chaban, superior of the Salesian Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province of the Greek-Catholic Rite in Ukraine, visited Colle Don Bosco to participate in the first profession of a Ukrainian novice formed in Turin in recent years. He shared his experiences during the war.

Fr. Chaban told Salesians with Mission Don Bosco that daily life is made up of hardship and fear, but above all, of commitment, dedication, tenacity, resilience, dignity and hope. That hope that was further renewed by the profession of the Ukrainian novice.

Fr. Chaban said, “Right now, Salesians are trying to do all we can for education in schools and vocational centers. We have after-school centers, a children’s home and sports activities for children and for people who have suffered amputations due to the ongoing war.”

He continued, “We want to do as much as we can to give these young people moments of joy and happiness, even though the war limits us a lot, but we try to ensure safety for all our guests first and foremost. Russian attacks happen mostly at night, but they also happen during the day. The protection of the spaces where we welcome young people, therefore, is an important element of the service we render to them.”

Families from the eastern regions of Ukraine continue to arrive in Lviv, in the west of the country. Towns and countryside are being attacked by Russian forces and refugees are arriving and looking for safer places.

Fr. Chaban highlighted the work of Father Andry Bodnar, who is in the created community of Mariapolis, where Salesians have created modular homes for those displaced. There, Salesians provide support for 250 children along with many elderly and people with disabilities. Even as some people leave, others arrive.

The Salesians try to offer various activities, continually improving and expanding the service according to need. This year, they provided moments of joy to the elderly on trips to the mountains to give them a brief respite from the war. This is a trip Salesians take often with youth.

Salesians have also continued to provide food for 350 people. Fr. Chaban noted, “If we end this assistance, it will be very difficult for them to go without even one hot meal a day. Since they cannot work, they cannot live solely on the small state economic support. The people want to return to normal life and continue to work even in areas where the land may be mined. They clear the land and production continues. Father Oleh Ladnyuk and Father Gregory Shved continue to bring foodstuffs every month to the border areas where families live who have lost their jobs, have nothing, and can barely survive.”

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Sources

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Italy – Where war destroys, hope still builds: the Superior of UKR tells of Ukraine after more than three years of war

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Ukraine

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.