BRIDGE TO LIFE HOMES PROTECT ORPHANS FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING

SAFE HAVEN AND SMILE HOUSE ARE PLACES WHERE POST-ORPHANAGE CHILDREN CAN BECOME WHAT THEY WERE CREATED TO BE.

UKRAINE

Orphans are easy prey for sex and slave traffickers.  According to Amnesty International, young women and girls, often vulnerable because of economic deprivation or for having already been physically abused, are easy targets. They dream of a better life, which the traffickers promise when they offer them ‘work’ in the West. Instead of getting a proper job, the women and girls find themselves trapped, enslaved, and forced into the sex industry.

Trafficked women and girls are exposed to a series of human rights abuses, including abduction, deprivation of liberty and denial of freedom of movement, torture and ill treatment, including psychological threats, beatings and rape. To escape their devastating life, suicide is unfortunately the only option some of these children feel is available to them.

Our model in Ukraine takes a whole life approach.  A three-tiered model has been developed to  nurture children in a Christian family environment, preparing them to be world changers.  Support and training at the institutional level (Komarivka, Kanev orphanages), rescue and prevention after graduation (SMILE HOUSE) and preparation for independent living (SAFE HAVEN) are all part of a comprehensive plan to give opportunities that otherwise would not exist.  This eliminates the possibility of traffickers gaining access to these young people.

KANEV ORPHANAGE

Project Information

Located south west of Kiev, this state institution houses about 150 children from 12 to 18 years old.  The primary focus has been relational and influential, interacting with individual children in Fall and Spring Camps, building close interpersonal relationships.
Bogdan and Ania, the Safe Haven houseparents, befriend the kids and introduce them to the opportunities of Bridge to Life Homes.  When the time comes for the children to graduate from the orphange, those with few or no options are invited to come and live at SAFE HAVEN.  Children from from every graduating class for the past nine years have chosen to become part of the family.

Current Project: Spring and Fall camps are conducted every year to interact with the children and build interpersonal relationships so that a positive option is available for those orphans with none.  We need volunteers who love children to come and help with the camps and we need funding to provide for the transportation, program supplies, lodging and food. Each camp costs $15 per day per camper.  No gift is too small to make a difference in a child’s life.

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL: freedom@mannaworldwide.com

SAFE HAVEN – BRIDGE TO LIFE HOME

Project Information

When did this project begin?

SAFE HAVEN began in 2001, MANNA Worldwide assumed responsibility for it in June 2008.

How many children are cared for by your ministry?

There are currently 15 children receiving full time food, clothing, medical, and school expenses.  A wonderful Ukrainian couple, Bogdan and Anya, tirelessly serve as house parents modeling a positive family dynamic for the children.  Bogdan and Anya have 2 biological children.

What impact could you have if money was not a barrier?

Annually, 10,000-15,000 orphans “age out” of state institutions, many with no place to live, no job, and no responsible adult to look after them.  The majority of them end up as “castaway children” living on the street, in jail, or victims of human trafficking.  There is so much more that can be done!  We would love to build a new, larger home to double the capacity of SAFE HAVEN.

What is your most pressing need?

We are in desperate need of regular support for operational costs.  It costs $300 per month to take care of all the needs of one child living at SAFE HAVEN.

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Other information about your ministry.

• In the 10 years SAFE HAVEN has been operational, 50 young people have gone through the 2 year program.  Almost all have accepted Christ, most have either completed university or trade school and are gainfully employed, several are married and raising their own children.
• During holidays and vacation time, it is not uncommon for 35 to 40 people to “come home” to visit their Mom and Dad at SAFE HAVEN.  What happy times those are!

 

SAFE HAVEN TESTIMONIES

 

SMILE HOUSE – BRIDGE TO LIFE HOME

Project Information

When did this project begin?

MANNA Worldwide was gifted co-ownership of this 8,000 sq. ft. house (shell) in January 2009.  Construction on the interior and exterior began March 2009 and was completed in March of 2013.

Who are the house parents?

Vladimir and Nadin Rezmer are the Smile House parents.  They have moved into the Smile House and are expecting children to begin moving in by the end of May 2013.

How many children do you expect to care for?

This home will care for approximately 30 children and three sets of house parents.  These children will be provided housing, food, clothing, medical, and school expenses along with a positive family dynamic that they know little of.

Current Project: The government of Ukraine has invited Vladimir Rezmer to assist them in building and opening more family homes for orphans in the region.

What impact could you have if money was not a barrier?

Annually, 10,000-15,000 orphans “age out” of state institutions, many with no place to live, no job, and no responsible adult to look after them.  The majority of them end up as “castaway children” living on the street, in jail, or victims of human trafficking.  There is so much more that can be done!

What is your most pressing need?

With the Smile House complete, we are moving on to two more houses that have been given by the government of Ukraine.  We need approximately $100,000 to finish out these houses and prepare them to take in kids.    DONATE TO THIS CAUSE

We also need regular monthly support for operational costs. Each child living at Smile House will be provided housing, food, clothing, medical, school expenses and much more for $300 per month.  That’s $10.00 a day.       

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