Support Across Borders
One of the many reasons we enjoy coming to Ukraine is having the opportunity to learn from each other. Our experience seems to be that when we come together it is not just to teach but to listen, and this creates energy and enthusiasm. This was evident in two outstanding events this week.
Last Saturday, Mennonite Church leaders from various European countries came to Molochansk. Some of these leaders were pastors; others included business leaders, leaders of large charitable organizations, and one lawyer. This group of approximately 20 women and men came from Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Netherlands and Lithuania. They represented small and medium sized Mennonite Church communities, some of whom could trace their roots back 500 years. These leaders come together every year to discuss emerging issues, successes, and to offer encouragement to each other. This year they met here in Ukraine.
After their meeting, I gave a PowerPoint presentation on the work of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine. After the presentation I led the group on a tour of significant former Mennonite villages in Molotschna, In the evening, the youth of the Molochansk Mennonite Church gave a spirited evening of music and story telling. They had a question and answer session with the leaders. The European guests ranged in age from 50 to 70. Imagine five of them shuffling up onto the stage to pick up three guitars, a set of drum sticks, and another positioning himself behind the electric piano. They were joined by the local youth lead guitarist and then the improvising began. The youth in the audience looked truly surprised at this display of talent, possibly wondering, "if this is what a bunch of old Mennonites can do, what must the youth be doing?" In reality, several of these leaders were members of bands in their communities.
Another highlight of this week was having Lil's daughter, Lisa Crawford, come to Ukraine to meet with Probation Officers in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Lisa is an analyst with BC Corrections, specializing in high risk offenders. She has also worked as a probation officer, and as a manager supervising probation officers. In the picture below, Lisa is giving a presentation on current community corrections practices to probation officers in the Tokmak office.
Following the meeting in Tokmak, Lisa traveled to Zaporizhzhia to meet another, larger group of probation officers. Also in attendance were some interested university students.
Uriy is a long-time probation manager in Tokmak. I have met with him for several years during our trips here to discuss matters related to criminal justice. However my experience is now somewhat dated and it was good to get the latest thinking on risk/need approaches that are currently practiced in BC. Pictured here are Uriy, Lisa, Oksana our Director, and myself.
The event in Zaporizhzhia was attended by the State Director of Probation Services in Zaporizhzhye, and his Deputy. Just over a year ago the national government passed a new law bringing probation services in line with those offered by most western countries including Canada and Europe.
The attentive group of approximately 60 was very appreciative of Lisa's informative presentation, and there was a lively question period that followed. All the PowerPoint slides had been translated into Russian by Oksana in advance of the meetings. The format for providing reports for the court was also of great interest to them. The Probation Officers, who get salaries from the government, are expected to pay for their own computers, office rental, furniture and all other supplies. They are very committed to their work.
This is our last blog for this year. We have had a wonderful time here and have felt very much appreciated and supported by so many people both from Canada and Ukraine. Thank you for your support and interest in the work here in Ukraine. We are convinced it is making a difference.
Last Saturday, Mennonite Church leaders from various European countries came to Molochansk. Some of these leaders were pastors; others included business leaders, leaders of large charitable organizations, and one lawyer. This group of approximately 20 women and men came from Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Netherlands and Lithuania. They represented small and medium sized Mennonite Church communities, some of whom could trace their roots back 500 years. These leaders come together every year to discuss emerging issues, successes, and to offer encouragement to each other. This year they met here in Ukraine.
After their meeting, I gave a PowerPoint presentation on the work of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine. After the presentation I led the group on a tour of significant former Mennonite villages in Molotschna, In the evening, the youth of the Molochansk Mennonite Church gave a spirited evening of music and story telling. They had a question and answer session with the leaders. The European guests ranged in age from 50 to 70. Imagine five of them shuffling up onto the stage to pick up three guitars, a set of drum sticks, and another positioning himself behind the electric piano. They were joined by the local youth lead guitarist and then the improvising began. The youth in the audience looked truly surprised at this display of talent, possibly wondering, "if this is what a bunch of old Mennonites can do, what must the youth be doing?" In reality, several of these leaders were members of bands in their communities.
Another highlight of this week was having Lil's daughter, Lisa Crawford, come to Ukraine to meet with Probation Officers in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Lisa is an analyst with BC Corrections, specializing in high risk offenders. She has also worked as a probation officer, and as a manager supervising probation officers. In the picture below, Lisa is giving a presentation on current community corrections practices to probation officers in the Tokmak office.
Following the meeting in Tokmak, Lisa traveled to Zaporizhzhia to meet another, larger group of probation officers. Also in attendance were some interested university students.
Uriy is a long-time probation manager in Tokmak. I have met with him for several years during our trips here to discuss matters related to criminal justice. However my experience is now somewhat dated and it was good to get the latest thinking on risk/need approaches that are currently practiced in BC. Pictured here are Uriy, Lisa, Oksana our Director, and myself.
The event in Zaporizhzhia was attended by the State Director of Probation Services in Zaporizhzhye, and his Deputy. Just over a year ago the national government passed a new law bringing probation services in line with those offered by most western countries including Canada and Europe.
The attentive group of approximately 60 was very appreciative of Lisa's informative presentation, and there was a lively question period that followed. All the PowerPoint slides had been translated into Russian by Oksana in advance of the meetings. The format for providing reports for the court was also of great interest to them. The Probation Officers, who get salaries from the government, are expected to pay for their own computers, office rental, furniture and all other supplies. They are very committed to their work.
This is our last blog for this year. We have had a wonderful time here and have felt very much appreciated and supported by so many people both from Canada and Ukraine. Thank you for your support and interest in the work here in Ukraine. We are convinced it is making a difference.
If you wish to know more
about the work of the Mennonite Centre, you can check out our web site
at: http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/ or follow our daily activities on
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Mennonite-Centre-Ukraine-735361069838076/
posted by Ben and Lil's Ukraine Reports @ 7:34 AM
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