Painting competition 2007!

 

If the enthusiasm of the children for the project and the interest shown by the media is a measurement, then our painting competition was a resounding success!

Earlier this year it was decided to hold a painting competition for the children of Orphanage Number 4 and Boarding School Number 5. During the summer months these children spend their time at ‘Victoria Summer Camp' making it an ideal venue to keep the children entertained during the hot summer weeks.

The afternoon of the 3 rd August was selected as the day of the prize giving and, in effect, this would also constitute the official launch and press release for the charity in Ukraine . Formal invitations to the event were issued by the Press office of the Governor, Odessa Region. This was a gesture of commitment and cooperation between OCC and Oblast (district) administration of Ukraine , clearly demonstrating a joint intent to improve the lives of Odessa children.

A further demonstration of this commitment was the willingness of nationals from both countries to donate an exciting range of prizes for the exhibitions consisting of:

1. Laptop computer. (Donated by Ken Wills).

2. Electronic keyboard. (Donated by Ken Wills).

3. Music centre. (Donated by Ken Wills)

4. Digital camera. (Donated by Svitlana Platchkova).

5. Digital camera. (Donated by Svitlana Platchkova).

There prizes were supplemented by a generous donation of a complete set of artist's equipment from Mr Alper Gergin of ‘UNICOR International Trade and Transport Ltd'. Alper is a citizen of Turkey who has become a dedicated and valued volunteer with this charity. In addition to his prize, Alper, an experienced and renowned artist in his own right, now undertakes painting lessons for the children each week.

Further prizes of boys and girls clothing were donated by Mr Akin Djafer, a businessman from the United Kingdom who manages catering and clothing outlets in Odessa .

The scene was set several weeks before the event and competition entry rules explained to the children. Painting materials were supplied by the charity and shipped to Victoria Camp in large quantities. Interest in the completion was high amongst the children. To our surprise even many of the older children, those aged between 16 and 18 took an active part.

On the evening of 2 nd August, the panel of judges, dignitaries from the UK and Ukraine , assembled at the charities Odessa office to select the winners from 116 submissions by the children. After three hours of deliberation in conjunction with a strictly neutral judging system, the winners were selected. Only the judges knew the names and this was to remain a secret until the following day when the children would assemble at Victoria camp for the prize giving.

Although there were winners of the major prizes, each child was presented with a certificate signed by the patrons and a book of their choice, kindly donated by Mrs Svitlana Platchkova, the wife of the personal advisor to the President of Ukraine.

The day arrived and all the paintings had been returned to Victoria from the charity office where they were placed on exhibition in an open air temporary theatre.

Five of the most celebration beauty queens from Ukraine volunteered their time to help with the prize giving. The presence of the beauty queens of, along with dignitaries from the UK and Ukraine proved to be a considerable draw for the media. Present were representatives from television, daily newspapers and monthly feature magazines, each with their own photographers. The event was televised on three separate TV channels in Ukraine .

The profile of the Charity's efforts had certainly been raised!

To the delight of all the children the presentations went off without a hitch and every child returned for a fresh fruit buffet, happy in the thought that this day had been dedicated to them and out there some people really cared.

The look of happiness on the faces of the children as they surrounded judges, beauty queens and their directors to say thank you, was reward enough for all the people from UK and Ukraine who had cooperated to make the day such a success.

Judges, guests and members of the press retired to the newly equipped play room at Boarding school №5 , where a buffet, supplemented by a glass of wine donated by Mrs Svitlana Platchkova was the reward for sacrificing their own time to make the children's day a happy one.

The paintings of the finalists will be framed and hung on the walls of the new playroom at Orphanage number 5, a fine finishing touch to this much needed facility, where the children can now relax, watch television and use the computers and other equipment supplied by this charity.

	Valya Krudik (on the right) and her friend Alyona Romanova proudly show off their name badges which were issued to all the children before the start of the prize giving. Valya was employed by the charity to help with reception duties at our Odessa office during her summer break.
	The paintings were displayed in a makeshift gallery. Groups of children were invited to look at the paintings. It took well over an hour for all the children, guests, judges and press to view the paintings.
Views of some of the paintings on display.

	Some of the children wait patiently for the start of the prize giving. The number of older children that took part was quite a surprise. These children rarely receive presents (some will have received their first present ever at the Christmas Party arranged by this charity in Christmas 2006). There was great excitement on the day.
	John Harris, a charity volunteer from the United Kingdom with his interpreter works hard as compare for the event. He had many challenges to face, not least of which was a constantly failing microphone. His determination played an important part in the success of the day.
	The panel of judges prepare to award the prizes! The flags of Ukraine and the United Kingdom proudly adorn the judges table.
	Ken Wills and Svitlana Platchkova (centre) prepare to make the awards. To the left is Nina Zatvorna, the Director of Orphanage number 5 and to the right is Ludmila Alexandrovna, the then current Director of Orphanage number 4.
	Graham Oliver (United Kingdom Trustee and co-founder of the charity) keeps the results quiet before the awards are made. Nina Zatvorna (on the left) listens closely together with a guest.
The first prize of a laptop computer was awarded to Vera Zhibrova. Vera is about to enter further education and will no doubt find this a major asset for her future studies. Her prize was presented by Ken Wills, co-founder of the charity.   In addition to the main prizes all children who entered the competition received a certificate and a book. This made sure all the children's work was valued and each received recognition for their hard work. The second prize of an electronic keyboard was presented to Karina Slavova. The keyboard was bigger than Karina and proved just a little too much for her to carry!
	One of Karina's friends comes to the rescue!
	Third prize was awarded to Anna Slavova. The portable music centre will no doubt provide entertainment in her dorm for some time to come!
The fourth prize of a digital camera was awarded to Viacheslav Samoiluk. Digital cameras were chosen as the children would have no money to pay for films and developing required by conventional cameras. It is hoped the lucky winners can make use of the new computers installed by this charity in the new play room at Orphanage number 5 to download and print their photographs.
	Svitlana Platchkova takes great pleasure in awarding one of the fantastic prizes she donated at the event to Pavel Pochenok.
Alper Gergin awards his prize to Vladimir Scherbachenko. Alper subsequently arranged to give professional painting lessons to those children most interested in art. Alper is a most valued volunteer for this charity and his good work continues to this day.
Designer clothing is awarded to Fablio Pereiro (left) and Alena Shumilova (right).
	Many of the children are so excited that they ask for autographs from the judges. Here Alper happily signs his name in a book awarded to this child.
	The five beauty Queens (Mrs Ukraine 2007, Miss Ukraine 2007, Miss Talent 2007, Miss Student 2007 and Miss Photo 2007 work hard to issue all the children with their prize books. Books were selected in advance for the children individualy by the directors of their institutions.
	The beauty queens were a major attraction for the girls. They were bombarded with questions about clothes and makeup! Here Miss Talent signs her name on a little girls arm.
Miss Odessa poses with one of the girls. The appearance of icons such as the beauty queens was a great boost for the children. Fashion is very important in Odessa and Ukraine in general. For the children to receive such attention is a new experience for them. The joy on this little girl's face is clear to see.
A picture that says it all. When the children are as happy as this then you know all the hard work in organising an event such as this has been worthwhile.
	A group of children with the competition judges and volunteers pose for the press.   The event was shown on three separate TV channels as well as appearing in several newspapers and magazines.
	Children were also interviewed by members of the press. It is publicity such as this that is needed to really make changes in Ukraine .
	Judges and guests relax after the days event. The festivities continued ‘ Ukraine ' style with singing and dancing to popular English and Ukraine music. At the same time the children were treated to a fruit buffet provided by the charity.