The fire destroyed the "entire third floor and caused extensive water damage to the second floor at the Good Samaritan Orphanage," said US-based Christian Aid Mission (CAM), a group representing native missionaries in Ukraine and other countries around the world. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Although no one was seriously injured in the blaze, "orphaned children are once again homeless as the cold Ukrainian winter sets in," the group added. Coordinator SlaviK Radchuk said repairs would cost about $60,000 and must begin immediately.
CAM described the orphanage as a "unique ministry" recruiting families from the local church care for up to six homeless children per household. "These families live together in a building divided up into modest "apartments". The orphanage had five families on the 3rd floor and three families on the 2nd."
APPARTMENTS DESTROYED
After the fire devastated these apartments, "people from the church offered help" but they struggle to accommodate all children and providing lodging, food and other necessities has been difficult, CAM said.
"A total of 57 men, women and children remain displaced, as ministry workers seek help in rebuilding these two floors of the orphanage," the group added. "They are praying they will be able to return these families to the home before Christmas."
CAM said materials have been ordered and construction could begin "as soon as funds are available," Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, has notorious state-run orphanages and hospitals, and missionaries have been trying to improve the situation since the 1990s. It said more information was available on its website: http://www.christianaid.org/disasters/GoodSamaritanFire.aspx (With BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos)
