As you are all aware, the start of the war in Ukraine pushed many people to leave their homes in search for safety. While many Ukrainian refugees went to countries like Romania and Poland, the little country of Moldova has its share of refugees and it received over 50,000 people in 5 days. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, but with very hospitable people, trying to help the refugees as much as possible.
When refugees reach Moldova, they are physically and emotionally drained, after days of waiting in the freezing temperatures, in line to cross the border, with the pain of leaving loved ones and everything behind, and unsure of where they'll end up living and for how long. Some come with their own cars, others by train, others cross on foot and need to be transported to a place to stay. We see mostly women with children, or seniors, as men ages 18 to 60 have to stay behind and fight. The only exception is if the men have 3 or more children under the age of 10, in which case they are allowed to go and support their families.
The camp in Singerei is approved by the Moldovan government to provide assistance to the refugees. At that location refugees find, at no cost for them:
1. A safe place to stay, with separate units for mothers and children, families, and seniors;
2. Meals cooked at the camp (by Moldova's regulations, no outside workers are allowed to use the kitchen at camp facilities, so they need to have staff in the kitchen);
3. Security - a police officer is always there at the gates, as they are all scared;
4. Personal hygiene, clothing, shoes, diapers, and other items of immediate need;
5. Medical and spiritual assistance;
6. Document processing for both, those who are only transiting on the way to relatives in Europe, or those who will stay in Moldova indefinitely.
For those planning to stay, there is some work done right now at one of the buildings, to make it appropriate for long-term living. Please keep in mind that we talk about a summer camp, without heating, and temperatures are sub-zero for about half of the year. As of now, they use blowing heaters, but a more permanent solution is needed, since that uses a lot of electricity and is very expensive. As the matter of fact, the camp is usually disconnected from electricity during the winter, since it's not in use, and it had to be reconnected.
Our friend, Pastor Mihail (Michael) Cucos, who along with being a pastor at the local church is also the manager of the camp, is working consistently to bring the buildings to proper living standards and make their stay as comfortable as possible. He is reaching out to everyone he knows with the needs of the refugees. He told me that a doctor in town bought sleepers for everyone there, as the floor is cold.
At the moment they have a little over 60 people and were told that more families will arrive during the night. According to the UN estimations, over half a million people ran from Ukraine, and it is expected that over 4 million more (some estimates even say 8 million) will leave in the immediate future.
Main needs are:
- Prayer, first and foremost, for peace in Ukraine, for the comfort of the refugees and strength for those who provide for them;
- Volunteers, willing and able to assist the refugees;
-Finances to cover the unforeseen expenses such as utilities, food, transportation;
-Clothing, blankets, personal hygiene and laundry products, diapers for little children.
While we would love to collect goods, like clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and blankets, and we know everyone would gladly give, the need is too immediate. The shipping usually takes 2 months or more. We don't even think that's possible any longer, as shipments were usually going on the port of Odessa, Ukraine, and from there to Moldova. Hence, the best modality to help is to send them money and enable them to purchase whatever necessary.
Given the long collaboration that Golgotha had with pastor Michael and people in the area, we are more than willing to get involved and assist. We will have an offering for the camp services and send them the money as soon as possible.
If God leads you to get involved, please make checks payable to Golgotha Baptist Church with the specification "Singerei Refugee Camp", and we will transfer the funds to them, to keep the camp functional as long as needed.
May God bless you all and may He bless Ukraine and the whole world with peace,
Pastor Pavel Sandu
When refugees reach Moldova, they are physically and emotionally drained, after days of waiting in the freezing temperatures, in line to cross the border, with the pain of leaving loved ones and everything behind, and unsure of where they'll end up living and for how long. Some come with their own cars, others by train, others cross on foot and need to be transported to a place to stay. We see mostly women with children, or seniors, as men ages 18 to 60 have to stay behind and fight. The only exception is if the men have 3 or more children under the age of 10, in which case they are allowed to go and support their families.
The camp in Singerei is approved by the Moldovan government to provide assistance to the refugees. At that location refugees find, at no cost for them:
1. A safe place to stay, with separate units for mothers and children, families, and seniors;
2. Meals cooked at the camp (by Moldova's regulations, no outside workers are allowed to use the kitchen at camp facilities, so they need to have staff in the kitchen);
3. Security - a police officer is always there at the gates, as they are all scared;
4. Personal hygiene, clothing, shoes, diapers, and other items of immediate need;
5. Medical and spiritual assistance;
6. Document processing for both, those who are only transiting on the way to relatives in Europe, or those who will stay in Moldova indefinitely.
For those planning to stay, there is some work done right now at one of the buildings, to make it appropriate for long-term living. Please keep in mind that we talk about a summer camp, without heating, and temperatures are sub-zero for about half of the year. As of now, they use blowing heaters, but a more permanent solution is needed, since that uses a lot of electricity and is very expensive. As the matter of fact, the camp is usually disconnected from electricity during the winter, since it's not in use, and it had to be reconnected.
Our friend, Pastor Mihail (Michael) Cucos, who along with being a pastor at the local church is also the manager of the camp, is working consistently to bring the buildings to proper living standards and make their stay as comfortable as possible. He is reaching out to everyone he knows with the needs of the refugees. He told me that a doctor in town bought sleepers for everyone there, as the floor is cold.
At the moment they have a little over 60 people and were told that more families will arrive during the night. According to the UN estimations, over half a million people ran from Ukraine, and it is expected that over 4 million more (some estimates even say 8 million) will leave in the immediate future.
Main needs are:
- Prayer, first and foremost, for peace in Ukraine, for the comfort of the refugees and strength for those who provide for them;
- Volunteers, willing and able to assist the refugees;
-Finances to cover the unforeseen expenses such as utilities, food, transportation;
-Clothing, blankets, personal hygiene and laundry products, diapers for little children.
While we would love to collect goods, like clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and blankets, and we know everyone would gladly give, the need is too immediate. The shipping usually takes 2 months or more. We don't even think that's possible any longer, as shipments were usually going on the port of Odessa, Ukraine, and from there to Moldova. Hence, the best modality to help is to send them money and enable them to purchase whatever necessary.
Given the long collaboration that Golgotha had with pastor Michael and people in the area, we are more than willing to get involved and assist. We will have an offering for the camp services and send them the money as soon as possible.
If God leads you to get involved, please make checks payable to Golgotha Baptist Church with the specification "Singerei Refugee Camp", and we will transfer the funds to them, to keep the camp functional as long as needed.
May God bless you all and may He bless Ukraine and the whole world with peace,
Pastor Pavel Sandu
