Overviewof our work in Central & East Europe
Dedicated to improving the quality of life and providing Christian and motivational publications to the people of Central and Eastern Europe, Family International members have worked in all of the countries of this region since 1989, before the fall of the Iron Curtain. Members currently serve in twelve Central and East European countries.
The projects of our volunteers in the region have been as diverse as the nature and history of the region itself, from visiting refugee camps, military hospitals and children's centers in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Kosovo during the war in the Yugoslavia republics, to conducting postwar trauma therapy in the form of musical and drama performances, and maintaining a Christian correspondence Bible-study course to nearly 72,000 people via mail. We have worked to supply food, clothing, school supplies, and medicine to the needy in the war-torn countries, and provided free English and computer literacy lessons to children in Bosnia, Romania, and Ukraine.
Country Pages
Project Highlights
Aid to Refugees
| Since 1998 we have been assisting needy refugee families affected by the war in the former Yugoslavia, in the surrounding areas of Karlovac (near the Bosnian border in Croatia), and Rijeka. We offer these families comfort and counseling, and have delivered over 300 kilos of humanitarian aid to the 400 residents in Camp “Gaza” in Karlovac. We also regularly visit two schools, with nearly 500 children, most of whom are refugees, and organize fun and educational activities for the children.
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Humanitarian Aid, Albania
| The Family International has delivered 4000 kilos of humanitarian aid, consisting of winter clothes, shoes, and food to needy families. In cooperation with the German charity, "Care in Action," we arranged the transportation of these goods from Germany to Albania, and during a one-month period, our volunteers were involved in house-to-house distribution to approximately 200 families, as well as staging a series of lively shows for about 250 poor children in the area.
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Malci Beliceve Foster Home, Slovenia
| The Malci Beliceve Foster Home houses children and teenagers from dysfunctional families, as well as for orphans. For nine years we have held English conversation lessons and other vocational programs on a regular basis. We also host arts and crafts and educational workshops and games and put on musical/theatrical performances. We delivered or arranged to have humanitarian aid delivered to the institution, mainly warm clothing, hats, and scarves. Our project was featured in Vode in Mi magazine, as well as Delo newspaper‚ reaching an estimated audience of 250,000.
Children's shows
| We perform clown and puppet shows at different children's resorts and summer camps around Ukraine for orphanages and children with health problems and disabilities. Each Christmas we also put on shows, which consist of a musical performance, Christmas puppet show, clowns, treats and gifts including Activated magazines for children, sponsored in part by interested businessmen.
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Prison Ministry
| For several years we have been visiting and ministering to prisoners, in order to help prepare them for reintegration to society. We hold motivational seminars, provide sewing programs for the women prisoners, and art therapy projects (music and painting). We also perform shows on Easter, Children’s Day, Mother’s Day, and of course, Christmas.
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Kosovo Aid Distribution
| In March 2004, violent unrest in Kosovo resulted in the burning of hundreds of houses. Many of the people rendered homeless due to this unrest found refuge in metal shipping containers supplied by the UN in special camps. These uninsulated containers are extremely hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Furthermore, the unemployment of those displaced and the resulting despair over their apparently hopeless plight leads to depression for many. The Family International has committed to help ease the plight of this displaced people.
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Visiting the Elderly
| We regularly visit homes for the elderly and help residents celebrate their birthdays, bringing them cakes, clothes, and other gifts. We usually sing for them, or do a little show, and spend time talking with them, bringing a little bit more love and cheer into their lives. The residents really appreciate these visits, as many of them don’t have regular visitors.
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Roma Community Help Initiative
| For the past six years, we have hosted ongoing projects to assist the Roma (Gypsy) community, specifically the children and youth. These people have suffered years of discrimination, and have great trouble elevating themselves out of their plight due to difficulties in finding employment. We distribute aid, host inspirational and motivational programs, and provide training for those able to help their people.
The Logoped Association
| We work with the Logoped Association, a center in Bucharest which provides help and materials for speech therapy. We provide educational materials as a tool to help in therapy and assist the teachers. We have also assisted in modernizing their centers and upgrading their equipment.
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