Good Neighbors
Progress continues in our quest to build a Caminul Felix Village in Ukraine! As I reported last time, we have found the property we are interested in buying and we are now taking the steps necessary to make this dream a reality. You can see in the photo below the land we intend to purchase (note the orange and yellow lined areas as the first part to buy). These parcels combine to equal about 20 hectares, which is just under 50 acres.
Overhead view of property.
The land is located in a small village of 650 people called Ivanchany. Not only is the land size ideal, but it is in close proximity to the primary and middle schools which serve Ivanchany; in fact, it would be a VERY short walk to school from our CF Ukraine village which is vital for the parents and children who will live and grow up there.
It's deeply important to us that Caminul Felix Ukraine connect with and serve the community in which we exist. So, we decided to show the school that we want to be the best of neighbors and a vibrant part of the school community.
To that end, we brought gifts to the teachers and administrators to show our appreciation for all they do and to express our desire to be committed deeply to our local school. My wife, Wendy, who is herself a schoolteacher, organized some fundraising at her school in California and we also received some donations from individuals to provide almost 80 pounds of school supplies (which I put in the suitcase that flew with me from San Francisco all the way to Ivanchny, Ukraine!)
In the picture below you will see some of the items we brought along with us (scissors, construction paper, markers, crayons, pens, etc.) and in the back middle, the principal and the main admin/teacher at the school.
Dropping off almost 80 pounds of school supplies to the elementary school in Ivanchany, Ukraine. The principal and primary admin are in the middle.
We had a really fun opportunity to hang out with a few of the kids and one of their teachers at the afterschool program – something they provide for kids with working parents.
We want to be GOOD NEIGHBORS to everyone we meet in Ukraine and to show our love and service to the country by sharing in their burden -- something that has always been at the heart of Caminul Felix in both Romania and Thailand. So it will be in Ukraine as well! We are excited by our progress and we are so close to experiencing the first part of this dream – the purchase of land!
On the playground at the elementary school in Ivanchany.
Would you like to help? You can donate by going to our partner’s website (Assist International) at https://assistinternational.org/cfvi/
Thank you!
Bill Funk
Caminul Felix Villages International Director
