Helping Ukraine's troubled young people get their lives back on track
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Transcript of Helping Ukraine's troubled young people get their lives back on track
Helping Ukraine’s troubled young people get their lives back on track
Tens of thousands of children and teenagers in Ukraine have been failed by family and society, their
lives blighted by violence, crime and addic<on.
Around 1,500 teenagers are held in juvenile
deten<on centres.
Of Ukraine’s 8 million children, around 96,000 live in state-‐run orphanages and
shelters.
The Ukrainian Bible Society is working with churches and other ins<tu<ons which care for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Together with
its partners, it provides thousands of Bibles and other Scriptures to give troubled young people the chance to learn that God loves and cares for them.
A group of local Chris<ans regularly visits this juvenile deten<on centre. Many of them are former inmates. As well as sharing their stories and teaching the boys about Jesus, they also offer prac<cal help, such as repairing the leaking roof.
During this visit, they brought Scriptures from the Bible Society.
AQer listening to a Chris<an message, the boys are asked if they would like to receive a Bible. About half of them raise their hands.
One of them is Nikolay, 19, who has been in the
deten<on centre for 2 years.
I was brought up in a Chris<an family but I
made some bad choices in my life. I am very sorry for that. When I found
myself in prison I realised I had to change....
I taVooed my arms with the Cross to remind me to keep God central in my life and to remind me he is always with me, protec<ng me.
I’m being released in two months and I can’t wait to go home and start my life again. I dream of studying to become a doctor.
I’ve been reading the Bible every day but this youth Bible has lots of notes that will really help me understand what I’m reading.
A thoughWul moment during a Bible camp for teenagers at risk. Many who come live at home but have difficult
family backgrounds.
The kids come to the camp to have fun and learn important life skills, such as how to be responsible with money. During Bible study sessions, they also learn about God’s love for them, and
the important role they have in building his kingdom.
Slavik (leQ) was 16 when he and his mother were thrown out of their home by his drunken, abusive grandfather. He began drinking heavily and behaving destruc<vely. Thanks to Misha, the youth pastor who runs the Bible camps, Slavik has started afresh
and is about to finish school.
I read a verse that said you can’t be half-‐hearted about following God. I decided to give my whole life to him. I’m not sure yet, but I think I’d like to go to Bible school and become a youth pastor and help kids who
face tough situa<ons.
Olena has had a very unhappy childhood. With her mother judged unfit to look aQer her
daughter, Olena was sent to live in string of different orphanages. She frequently ran away. Now 15, she lives in a rehabilita<on
centre for children with psychological problems.
She was happy to receive a youth Bible and promised to read it.
I leQ home when I was far too young. I wanted to be the ‘director’ of my life. I had only two desires: drinking and taking drugs. But I started to
wonder about the purpose of my life. I decided to come to this drug rehab centre because I needed peace in my heart. Now I have this Bible I have a
feeling I will finally find it.
-‐ Yura, 19
I grew up in a normal family but I wanted the freedom to live my life how I wanted, so I
leQ. I didn’t make good choices. That’s how I ended up here (in a drug rehab centre). I want to change but I can’t do that on my own. I need God’s help. I will be reading this Bible
for help and guidance.
-‐ Natasha, 25
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future.’Jeremiah 29:11
PLEASE PRAY THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FIND HOPE AND BUILD THEIR FUTURES ON GOD
To find out more about our work around the world, visit unitedbiblesocie<es.org