THE BEGINING

During a visit to Odessa in Ukraine during early April 2006, two business men (Kenneth Wills and Graham Oliver) were invited by chance to visit one of that cities many orphanages. It was immediately clear to them that there was a severe shortage of funding. Many of the buildings were in a very poor condition and the shortage of money was causing considerable hardship for many of the children.

During their first visit to Odessa , they also visited a children's wing at a hospital. A number of babies were found waiting for surgery. Although surgeons had volunteered their time to conduct operations there was no funding to pay for medicine and aftercare. Ken provided this.

This baby was typical of those waiting for surgery. Without assistance it is unlikely this, or the other babies discovered at this unit would have survived.

Ken and Graham also met with a number of street children who based themselves during the evenings and early mornings on Deribasovskaya, the main shopping and recreational street in Odessa . They were amazed at their friendly and polite mannerisms, an attribute not always so apparent in youth in the United Kingdom ! By talking with the children (and supplying copious quantities of MacDonald's burgers) they were able to get a true appreciation of life for children living on the streets.

The apparent isolation from Ukraine society of this particularly vulnerable group of children seemed to be a complete contradiction of values when compared with the extremely friendly and compassionate people they had made friends with in Ukraine . This included government and educational officials, management and staff from the institutions and Ukraine people in general from all levels of society.

Further journeys to Odessa were made during the year. Each time visits were made to institutions in and around the city. Using their own personal resources Ken and Graham have made a number of contributions in an effort to relieve some of the suffering.

Ken Wills talks to children at a party he organised during 2006.

Despite their efforts and that of other charitable organisations that work in Odessa , for real improvement for the children it was clear something had to be done on a much larger scale. Just how this could be achieved was the real question! It has required research into the political and economical circumstances surrounding the situation as well as an understanding of the Ukraine educational and social system.

Founder Graham Oliver at the controls of an Odessa tram used to transport the children from an orphanage to the party venue.

Getting to know some of the children on the way to the party.

The children played music on the trams internal microphone system from a mobile phone. It was later found out that the song (in Russian) was rather rude which explained some of the astonished looks from passers by as the tram made its way through the streets of Odessa ! The children were also accompanied by two ‘buskers' picked up en-route which added to a great evening out.

Late in 2006, Ken and Graham were introduced to the then Governor of Odessa region. His wife (Svitlana Platchkova) was already involved in work with the street children. They decided together to try and do something significant to help these unfortunate children.

This has resulted in the formation of the ‘ Odessa Children's Charity'!

On this web site you will find out about the plans for the charity to bring help to these most unfortunate of children.

Please join them in their efforts if you can.