The Simcoe North Particular Council, Ontario is twinned with the Conference of Blessed Martha Wiecka, in Ukraine.

Here is an overview of their Vincentian work.

In the last few years, the activities of our Conference have slowed down. First, because of the pandemic, and then due to the war, we lost touch with you a little. However, as you know, the Ukrainian people have faced significant challenges, with many more in need.  Now, together with the Sisters, Fathers and volunteers, we want to resume the active work of the SSVP. Therefore, we have started several projects that we want to develop and unite people around them. 

We aim to continue serving the lonely elderly and homeless, who remain the most vulnerable members of our society. This was our primary activity before the war, and we wish to persist in it.

This year we started a project to support families with disabled children. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, families with disabled children have been in a dire situation due to the loss of their homes, constant shelling, the economic crisis in the country, cuts in government assistance programs, electricity problems, educational problems, lack of funds, stress, fear, inability to evacuate quickly, etc. Families of refugees or those living on the border with Russia / frontline areas are particularly vulnerable. We try to support them emotionally, psychologically, legally, and materially (medicines, clothes, food, rehabilitation equipment, etc.). Every month we hold group meetings where volunteers organize interesting activities for children, at the same time, parents can talk to each other in a quiet and friendly atmosphere, share experiences, get support from each other and a volunteer psychologist, exchange experiences, and just relax a little. Both parents and children are always looking forward to these meetings.

Another main challenge we are currently focusing on is our Volunteer School. Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian society has changed and united a lot. People realized that for our country to stand, we must unite and help each other. Most people cannot donate money now because of the difficult economic situation in the country, but they are ready to join as volunteers. We want to organize a space where every volunteer can get maximum support and assistance in their serving, find like-minded people and projects they would like to join, and get information that will help them in their volunteering (support by faith, strengthening of Christian values, psychological, legal, methodological assistance in the chosen field of volunteering, practical experience, etc.) We are eager to support this potential of our people and to give it further development based on the values and mission of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Liudmyla Lohush 
Conference of Blessed Martha Wiecka, Ukraine