Note from Steve

I want to take just a minute to talk a little about some of my experiences here in Ukraine. The people are warm, friendly and still to a certain degree family oriented. Something that I think we have lost quite a bit of in the United States. Many times you will find three generations of a family living in the same household. Everyone has a place and most of them seem very happy. However, there are hard economic times here and in other parts of the former Soviet republics not to even mention other parts of the world. I want to talk about the unseen Ukraine.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit a young man in a hospital. He is about 14 and is unable to walk. He was born with some sort of birth defect and has been bed ridden his whole life. He comes from a broken family and until recently his mother took care of him. About a year ago his mother took him to a local hospital and left him, apparently unable to continue to care for him. When I walked into his hospital room my heart was broken. This young man while cared for and given food had nothing. He doesn’t have a TV. He has no radio, He has no computer and has no idea even what the internet is. Until you see this you really don’t understand what it is like. The amazing thing was how smart this young man is. He knows how to read and that is his main activity when he can find an old book. He knows how to play chess and beat by business partner Slavik on the first game.

After our visit Slavik and I decided that 10% of any proceeds from our tour business would go to charity. Not to an organization or church but directly to someone in need. Each month Slavik and I decide where best to spend this money. I can tell you this, that a certain young man will soon have a TV, computer and other items to help him become self-sufficient. I am so thankful every day for what I have and if I ever feel low I just think about all those who really have nothing.

So friends, know that 10% of your tour money goes directly to helping those less fortunate than the rest of us.

Thank you and may God Bless

Steve