Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort
Renaissance Event Charity Photos
2002

last update 10/21/03

To the images

In November of 2002, several individuals from the Michigan Renaissance Festival participants worked with the Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort (UCARE) to put on a charity event to raise funds for Ukrainian orphans. I was honored when they asked me to take photographs of the event. Herein lies the images of their hard work and effort and the fun they, and the attendees, had at that event.

Before going onto the images, here is some information about UCARE (as provided by the event coordinators):

Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort, Inc. (UCARE)

HISTORY
In 1991, with the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, Ukraine reclaimed its status as an independent nation and began the process of democratization. Ukrainian citizens face many economic hardships due to previous government policies and present demands of restructuring. Children are particularly helpless in this situation.

In 1992, two Canadian couples arrived in Ukraine with the hope of adopting children. Through their visits to orphanages, they discovered that these institutions, although orderly, and staffed with attentive and kind caregivers, functioned with severe shortages of food, clothing and medications. These visits marked the beginning of Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort, Inc. (formerly Help Us Help the Children, Inc.) in the United States.

MISSION

Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort, Inc. (UCARE) exists to aid the children in orphanages across Ukraine by:

• Improving the quality of life and the health of children
• Creating opportunities for children to reach their maximum potential

GUIDING VALUES

• UCARE believes that each child should be free of hunger, poverty and isolation.
• UCARE is committed to ensuring that each child is provided with love and the fundamentals of daily living.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

• Participation in the summer camp programs by sponsoring children and sending volunteer camp counselors and workshop leaders from the United States to the camps
• Covering medical expenses of orphaned children, including medication, hospital stays and surgery
• Sponsoring children who are furthering their education at trade schools, colleges and universities
• Providing prosthetics for children
• Helping subsidize the "Pryiateli Ditey" office in Ukraine

So, enjoy the images and huzzah!

Prior to viewing the images, you might want to check the brightness of your monitor.

All images & contents copyright © G.A. Trammel 1992 - 2003