Meeting the Pochaiv Site Staff

Monday, June 13

Halyna, the Site Director for Chalice’s Pochaiv Sponsor Site in Ukraine, told us about the origins of Chalice, formerly Child Care International, in this country. Fr. Patrick Cosgrove, although a little dubious because Europe was always viewed as well-off, was challenged to consider this country for sponsorship. He talked with a local Orthodox priest, Fr. Eugene, and with the three heads together as well as Halyna's family in Canada, as the first sponsors, planted the seeds for an international community of mutual trust and love.

The first shoots of growth were Victoria, the translator, then Halya the accountant, along came Svitlana, a clothes designer who made embroidered coats for fundraising, and Natalia, the wife of Fr. Eugene. Over time the staff grew to 26 to accommodate the many families who joined the program. The office started with one sheet of paper, later with an old computer that was covered with a blanket to make sure it worked in the morning after cold winter nights, and now six desks with computers or laptops, printers, and copying equipment.

Photo: Halyna and her team at the office.