The Open World Delegation, a branch of the U.S. Congress, has a mission to introduce rising leaders of emerging countries to the importance of legislative functions in creating and sustaining democracies. While this is indeed the overarching purpose, the delegates expressed that “true America” was found in Rochester, beyond the businesspeople and politicians in larger cities like Washington, D.C. When asked what their favorite part of Rochester was, they unanimously answered, the people. The delegates were also pleasantly surprised to find such a close-knit Ukrainian community in Rochester.
Former Rotarian and community leader Tamara Denysenko expressed that Rotary is close to her heart, reminiscing about international programs involving dancing in the early 2000’s. She reminded us all about how the USSR fell apart in the early 1990s, which created the opportunity to build friendships through people-to-people exchanges. The Congressional Office of International Leadership (COIL) has been sponsoring programs for over 20 years, first through Rochester Sister Cities (of which Poltava, Ukraine is one with a vibrant Rotary program), and then through Rochester Global Connections. Due to the war in Ukraine, a proposal came through the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union to focus on special needs, especially those of traumatized children.
We were called upon to imagine living every day under shootings and bombings, and not just those aimed at military targets. In fact, the husband of one of the delegate’s friends was killed on the front lines. Eryna Storozhuk added to this grim portrait of harsh reality by describing students studying in bunkers. Ukraine has a state childcare program along with one to train social services professionals who are needed now more than ever.
The delegation arrived in Washington, D.C., where they learned about U.S. politics and became acquainted with delegates from other countries, including but not limited to post-Soviet countries such as Lithuania. They visited the State Department to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is of Ukrainian descent. This particular delegation is focused on war issues affecting children. Eryna reports that some staffers were moved to tears when listening to the delegates’ stories.
The delegates come from different parts of Ukraine, such as Odessa near the Black Sea, the capital city Kyiv, Lviv in Western Ukraine, the occupied port city of Mariupol, and Kharkiv, in Eastern Ukraine, which is being hit by X59 rockets. We learned the names of less familiar cities such as Mykolaiv in Southeast Ukraine, where Yuliia Losytska works as a child psychologist, and Khmelnytskyi, in Western Ukraine, where the military aerodrome is located. Eryna informed us that nonstop drone attacks occurred every night there between October and December, forcing inhabitants into shelters. The delegates represent such professions as NGO representative, clinical psychologist with a doctorate, attorney, Chief of the Education Department of Lviv City Council, and founder of a nonprofit.
Lina Liashenko spoke about her nonprofit, Peaceful Haven of Kharkiv, which provides food and non-food items for the front lines in the most difficult areas of Southeast Ukraine. Another vital service is psychosocial support for children. Hubs will be open to replace traditional schools and to support military wives as well as widows of fallen heroes. Her dream is to open an underground school.
Listen to Lina and Andrii on Evan Dawson’s Connections:
https://www.wxxinews.org/show/connections/2024-03-20/how-to-help-children-in-ukraine
See the delegates at Hillside Children’s Center:
https://hillside.com/2024/03/ukrainian-delegation-visits-hillside-to-share-ideas-about-supporting-children-in-crisis/
On a more pleasant note, the delegates took a trip to Niagara Falls and were scheduled to visit historical landmarks such as the Susan B. Anthony House. Tamara Denysenko says, “When I do a project, we don’t rest because time is money.”
Lori Martinez took notes tonight. Thanks Lori!
To add to the excitement and goodwill, Bob Kosinsky was inducted as our newest member. He was introduced by Doug Decker and sponsored by Lou DiPrima. Welcome to our Club!
.png)
