The “Star of Hope” Center in western Ukraine continues to provide humanitarian aid, rehabilitation services, and psychosocial support to families, veterans, and children affected by the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict.
Bread of Life Project
In the past month alone, more than 1,800 displaced persons received food and assistance through the "Bread of Life" initiative. Among those supported were people with disabilities, Chernobyl disaster liquidators, and large families. Special attention was given to residents of villages in the Rivne region bordering Volyn.
Mobile Physiotherapy Trailer
Over the past year, the Center’s mobile physiotherapy trailer has provided 3,360 medical services and psychological consultations in cooperation with doctors and partner organizations.
Collaborating institutions include the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, which serves children from across Ukraine, and the Esculap Medical Center, directed by rehabilitation physician Oleh Kalchyk. His team specializes in prosthetics, orthopedic footwear, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
The Center’s medical staff also continue visiting rural communities in Rivne, offering both consultations and food packages. Bread is now baked monthly in the village of Kulchyn with the support of parents connected to the Star of Hope Center.
Rest and Support for Families
During the summer, the Center organized camps for families raising children with disabilities, in partnership with the Maltese Mission and the Caritas Charitable Foundation. Sixty children participated in recreational activities.
In addition, about 50 women and children of servicemen now take part in monthly art therapy sessions. Outings to zoos, museums, and theaters are also arranged for children.
Art Therapy and Veteran Empowerment
Art therapy remains a cornerstone of the Center’s work. A recent initiative coordinated by Zhanna Zhalovaha, wife of the Center’s director, involves creating knitted rugs. For some participants, the activity is therapeutic, while for veterans it offers opportunities to begin small businesses.
Pottery workshops have been another longstanding focus. Since 2013, children with disabilities have been trained in pottery, with some now pursuing the craft professionally. This program has expanded to veterans, who are provided with training, resources, and space to develop their own enterprises. Products such as clay models and souvenirs are featured in exhibitions and fairs.
Support Nearby
Another initiative, the “Support Nearby” project, is coordinated in western Ukraine by Adventist pastor Andriy Tereshchuk. The program provides spiritual care for soldiers and civilians impacted by the war.
“Our mission is not only to address immediate needs but also to create opportunities for long-term healing and reintegration,” said Oleksandr Zhalovaha, director of the Star of Hope Center.
The Center is operated in cooperation with the Western Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The original article was published on the Ukrainian Union Conference Ukrainian news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.
