Location:
Bilichy Ukraine

Budget:
$150,000

Background:
A former state-run farm (or Kolchoz) at Bilichy was privitized in 2004. The former 92 workers of the Kolchoz each received a portion. The majority of these pensioned people asked World Partners to rent and use the land. This was their only hope to obtain a small pension. After the set up of Adama (an earlier Ukrainian agricultural project of World Partners) expertise was easily transferred to start new agricultural activities. The buildings and land were in poor shape, as no maintenance had been done for decades. But efforts are already underway, and it will be a beautiful place in the future. Also, one of the rehabilitation centers of the Kovchek Church is closeby.  This church has started many social projects for addicts, orphans, and assistance to the elderly. The local government does offer them some help, as the drug and alcohol addiction rate is one of the highest in the Ukraine, and along with it comes high unemployment.  

Business: Successful (1) Agricultural production, (2) Hog Farm and (3) Agricultural trade.

Social:  Provide employment and restore pensions to former state-owned cooperative workers.  Give recovering drug and alcohol addicts a chance to work and to be trained on tangible job skills.

Ministry:  Support the missions and ministries of the Ark Church in reaching out to the local communities. 

In 2002, the partners established the predecessor project Adama, which gave a framework and experience to adjust to the new Kolchoz project.  World Partners has been integrally involved because of its extensive experience in Ukrainian trade, culture, and business.  Our project leader John Appelo has broad experience in international agriculture and business, and he provides regular consulting for the local director Iryna Tomashuk.