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I will survive

20 March 2015
I will survive

Every year thousands of girls leave orphanages in Ukraine where the majority have lived for most of their lives.

Although the state offers assistance in the form of a room to live in and further education, an almost total lack of life skills or understanding of the world outside the orphanage leaves these young girls extremely vulnerable.

Many girls end up on the streets at just 16 years old, selling their bodies just to keep themselves alive. Many others are trafficked overseas.

The Salvation Army in Ukraine will use funds raised through the Salvos Women Territorial Project 2015 to help to keep young women leaving children’s homes off the streets and give them basic skills for self-sufficiency. This will enhance their chances of finding employment and surviving in a world which can be predatory and brutal.

“Through assisted living in small groups, we aim to teach the basics of “what every girl wants” – skills such as cooking, sewing, hygiene and budgeting,” said Major Annette Rieder-Pell, Divisional Director for Women's Ministries Ukraine Division, Eastern Europe Territory.

“Through encouragement, we hope to help young women reach their potential. By cultivating self-esteem and an environment of learning, we hope to enable education and better prospects for the future.

“‘I will survive’ will undertake to offer an alternative to a life on the streets or as a victim of trafficking.”

You can be a part of this today. Help us in this endeavour by raising funds to support this project.

“I want to thank the women of Australia for helping the young women of Ukraine who are forced to work as prostitutes,” said Major Marina Zueva, Corps Officer, Lviv, Ukraine.

“Through The Salvation Army, these ladies will come to know Jesus and have opportunities for a better life.”

Colonel Wendy Walters, Eastern Europe Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, echoes these words.

“Thank you for the better life you are helping to ensure for these young women,” she said. “So many of these girls turn to prostitution, seeing it as their only way to make money, and many others are trafficked.

“We want to help these girls as they are released from the orphanages and your help will make this project a reality.

“Ukraine is a beautiful country with beautiful people, struggling so much now with civil unrest and the economic situation and we want to do what we can to alleviate their pain.

“Please do all you can to raise funds so we can help these young girls move on and have a better life.”

Territorial Creative Ministry Co-ordinators and Worship Facilitators Sheldon and Louise Mathieson wrote the song Calling, featured in the video below. You can download the lyrics here and the music sheets here.

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The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.