OCTOBER 2018
“You can’t get rich on the land, but you can live from the land.” It is Oleh Krupskyy’s favorite saying – and he has been taking his own advice for years. Oleh lives in Ukraine, known as the “bread basket of Europe” because of its fertile black soil, rich in humus. Despite its’ potential, there are barriers stopping Ukrainian farmers from fully cultivating land – and one of them is access to finance. The readiness of banks to lend to smallholders is limited, and this makes it difficult to expand or develop. Oleh said, “I look at the land, which has not been cultivated for decades, and feel sadness about it. If we had a good tractor and the right equipment, we’d be able to cultivate up to ten hectares of such land.” When our Mission Without Borders coordinator was visiting last May, he found Oleh, his pregnant wife and two of his sons planting pumpkin seeds across a field. Everyone was busy, including the youngest boy who was eagerly imitating the adults’ work with a rake in his hand. Oleh said, “My oldest son Olexiy loves farm machinery, and can already drive the tractor, but unfortunately it has broken down. The tractor’s very old and partly self-made. Finding and buying new parts would cost too much.”
Oleh started off with nothing. He and his wife Oksana were unemployed, and he comes from a background of generational poverty and alcoholism. The family lived in one room and had very few possessions. Now enrolled in MWB’s family sponsorship program, we are working hard with them to break the cycle of poverty.
“We meet difficulties often and it seems like life is not getting easier. For the sake of our children, we are ready to strive and work harder.” MWB is providing the family’s basic needs: hygienic items, school supplies, clothing, footwear, food, furniture, building materials and seeds. This year, MWB was able to equip the two bedrooms used by their children with proper beds, mattresses and bedside tables. This eases the burden on Oleh and Oksana, enabling them to invest what little income they are able to make, into the development of their farm.
Supporting families in Eastern Europe costs as little as $29/mo
THE BROKENDOWN FAMILY TRACTOR
OLEH IS AN EXPERT BEEKEEPER AND TENDS 21 BEE HIVES
The Krupskyys are eager to extend the capacity of their farm – and because of the limitations in equipment, are looking in other directions. “Every year, our experiences teach us something new. We have learned to consider risk factors, so we grow several types of grain. Some are frost-resistant so we don’t have to worry about early frosts. Also, we plant potatoes which tend to bring a good harvest.” “The harvest of grain, potatoes and beets was good last year. We gathered 700 kg of oats, half a ton of wheat and also triticale [a wheat/rye hybrid]. This spring, we planted even more grain. A lot of grain is used for animal feed as we have four pigs, two cows and two calves.” “Presently, we produce about 25 litres of milk a day. We sell some, and for our own needs produce cheese, butter and sour cream. I would like to increase our number of cows to 10, and increase our production.” “This year we also gathered 70 litres of honey. We sold half and kept half for our own needs.”
“We dream of the day when things will change in our country. We have no state support, and there are very few loans for development of small businesses. There are many changes to be made in Ukraine and we need reform.”
SOME STATISTICS FROM UKRAINE •
Farming production dropped sharply in the chaotic decade after the collapse of communism. Production is only now returning to peak levels of the 1990s, stymied by corruption, red tape and inefficiencies that have plagued the Ukrainian economy for years, and left villagers living humble existences. 1
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Rural areas of Ukraine currently suffer from high levels of unemployment, widespread poverty, and poor logistical and social infrastructure. The level of wages in the agriculture and rural sector remains one of the lowest in the national economy (69% of the national average). 2 [Sources: 1 The New York Times, ‘Ukraine faces hurdles in restoring its farming legacy’, May 27 2014; 2 Eva Chertok, ‘Agriculture is only a beacon of hope’, 8 June 2017, Cafebabel]
This family is one of hundreds we work with throughout Eastern Europe, who could not make it without the kind support and generosity of donors such as yourself. OKSANA CUTS UP HONEYCOMB AS A TREAT FOR THE BOYS
“But for the moment, we have God and we can trust Him. We depend on Him daily. Soon we will be gathering hay for forage, and these days we pray that no drought will come and that rain showers will not spoil the crops.”
Consider making a one-time donation today — or perhaps set up an ongoing, monthly support donation (ask me how!) — which will go towards our Families–inCrisis program. There are so many families in Eastern Europe who need our assistance. Help break the cycle of poverty! May the Lord bless you as you give, and I wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving season!
Sincerely, Bonnie Borowetz SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS CANADA
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