Seventh-day Adventist youth celebrated the national independence day of Ukraine last month by sponsoring a health awareness march in the city of Cherkassy, southeast of Kiev. More than 100 young adults and teenagers carried banners through the streets, stopping at city squares and other meeting places to perform music, present programs about drugs and alcohol, and distribute pamphlets on healthy living.

“Our young people wanted to help celebrate their country’s freedom while proclaiming that Ukrainians can also break free from addictions to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and immoral living,” said Valery Ivanov, who directs communication for Adventists in the Euro-Asia region. “They also wanted to offer support and hope to people who suffer from diseases caused by these lifestyles.”

At each square the marchers congratulated citizens for their national independence and urged them to experience the joy of healthy living. Two Adventist pastors performed a song entitled “A Prayer for Ukraine.”

One major event was the arrival on bicycle of Adventist member G. Emelyanov, who spent the summer pedaling around Ukraine to raise awareness about the dangers of addictive living.

“As a result of this march, people have asked the Adventist Church to provide more information about health and guidance for everyday problems,” says Ivanov. This month Adventists in Cherkassy will present a lecture series on family issues and healthy living in the city’s Palace of Friendship.