Stories from the Field

Help the Children Agricultural Project: Giving At-Risk Families Food Security
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 by Amber Schafer

Help the Children is a partnering program of Summit Missions International. Aiding at-risk children, teens, and families in some of the poorest regions of Transnistria, their community centers provide safe places where vulnerable children and teens can receive hot meals, tutoring, mentoring, life-skills training, and experience Christ’s love.

The Republic of Moldova and its breakaway province, Transnistria, is one of the poorest countries in Eastern Europe. Together they form a small, landlocked territory between Romania and Ukraine with a combined population of 4 million. The weak and unstable economy, especially with war in neighboring Ukraine, cause many citizens to migrate to find employment abroad. Those who stay often struggle for their livelihood. Food security is a common issue, with many having difficulty providing more than one daily meal for their families.

 

The Dire Circumstance of Children in Moldova and Transnistria

According to the UN, 24% of children in Moldova live in poverty. Although there are no specific statistics, this percentage is sure to be similar in Transnistria. According to Help the Children, approximately 10% of children in Transnistria rely on state-run orphanages for education and meals because of their families’ financial situations. Many children are considered economic orphans due to one or both parents working abroad. Other children are in orphanages due to the inability of their families to provide for their basic needs.

 

Agriculture for Food Security

Help the Children works in cooperation with the local government to provide social assistance and support services for orphans, vulnerable children, and families. Through assessment, mentoring, intervention and practical assistance, HTC endeavors to keep the family unit intact and in the home.

The staff at Help the Children recognize that for larger families, the situation becomes more complex in caring for more children. Often for these families, the main need is material resources to feed their children.

One way Help the Children has been helping at-risk families is through their agricultural program in the city of Slobozia, where they also have a Community Center. Slobozia is a city in the southern part of Transnistria that is mainly an agricultural area. Many residents have plots of land that can be gardened, providing they have the resources to purchase vegetable seeds, fruit trees and plants.

In May, the Help the Children staff went to the market and bought seedlings--tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, zucchini, onions, and green peas for just $30 per family.

The families who received the garden starters were very happy and expressed gratitude. After all, such assistance will feed them not only in the summer but will allow them to stock-up for the winter by canning and freezing the produce. Additionally, any excess vegetables and fruit grown can be sold to support their family financially. This program helps put food on their tables, so no child goes hungry.

Help the Children believes every child deserves a decent life and should not suffer from hunger. Anna, Director of Help the Children, says that “We believe that by caring for the physical needs of families and children at-risk, we help people find hope and happiness and get to see God in action.”

 

Our Partnership with Help the Children

Summit Missions International (SMI) has actively invested in the ministry of Help the Children since it was founded in 2006. Our short-term teams have assisted with humanitarian product distribution, construction, and repair services on homes of families at-risk, and educational and recreational opportunities for Help the Children program participants. Summit Missions is committed to supporting this vital program to ensure a hope and future for the young people of Transnistria.

For 30 years, Summit Missions International and our partners in Eastern Europe have worked to provide for the needs of people--especially orphans, the impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized--with the purpose of delivering practical help and spiritual hope through the message of Jesus Christ. 

Share This Blog:



Previous Posts

Practical Help a Conduit for Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer

9/16/2024

Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
Amber Schafer

9/4/2024

Childlike Faith
Amber Schafer

8/21/2024

Faithful Servant
Amber Schafer

8/15/2024

Going for the Goal
Amber Schafer

8/15/2024

A Ukrainian Church Plant Provides Practical Help and Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer

7/1/2024

Natasha: I Like Everything About Bible Club!
Amber Schafer

7/1/2024

Ministry on the Frontlines of War
Amber Schafer

6/24/2024

Sports: Building Meaningful Relationships and Sharing About Jesus
Amber Schafer

6/3/2024

Reaching Ukrainian Youth with God’s Word
Amber Schafer

5/23/2024

Your Support Prepares Leaders for the Growth of Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

5/23/2024

Dasha: I Liked Hearing About God at Bible Club!
Amber Schafer

5/23/2024

Volunteers Make a Difference Serving at Our Warehouse in Ohio
Amber Schafer

5/23/2024

Three Prayers
David Windham

5/20/2024

Anastasia: Adventure Camps Helped Prepare Me for the Future
Amber Schafer

5/9/2024

Finding Encouragement and Support at Help the Children International
Amber Schafer

5/2/2024

Belief Through Curiosity in the Local Church
Amber Schafer

4/30/2024

Ministry on the Sports Field
Amber Schafer

4/11/2024

Providing a Place of Safety
Amber Schafer

3/19/2024

An Opportunity to Hear the Good News of Jesus
Amber Schafer

3/12/2024

Making an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Hundreds of Young People
Amber Schafer

3/6/2024

Hope Amid Destruction
Amber Schafer

2/29/2024

Teaching, Instructing, and Talking About God
Amber Schafer

2/29/2024

Ministry and Growth During War
Amber Schafer

2/28/2024

See the Smiles You Brought to Kids in Ukraine!
Amber Schafer

2/8/2024

Painting Joy for Ukrainian Refugees
Amber Schafer

2/1/2024

Nelya’s Story: Lord, Have Mercy on Me!
Amber Schafer

1/15/2024

Room for Dreams and Desires to Develop for Her Future
Amber Schafer

1/11/2024

Adventure Camps Bring Spiritual Development
Amber Schafer

1/11/2024

A Gift You Can Share
Amber Schafer

12/11/2023

Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Helping Those Who Have Left Occupied Territories
Amber Schafer

12/6/2023

Sharing the Bread of Life
Amber Schafer

11/29/2023

I Want Them to Come to Bible Club Because They Do Not Know a Lot About Jesus
Amber Schafer

11/29/2023

After Adventure Camp, I Began to Think More About Life and the Future
Amber Schafer

11/29/2023

Church Growth During War in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

11/21/2023

I Have Learned A Lot About God
Amber Schafer

11/21/2023

Bible Clubs: Building Long-Term, Promising Relationships with Children and Parents
Amber Schafer

11/8/2023

Larisa’s Story
Amber Schafer

10/23/2023

A Place of Safety and Growth
Amber Schafer

10/23/2023

Halyna’s Story
Amber Schafer

10/23/2023

Smiles are on the way to Ukraine!
Amber Schafer

10/12/2023

Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Growing Young Faith
Amber Schafer

9/6/2023

Bible Clubs are Making an Impact at New Village Churches
Amber Schafer

8/28/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Fervent in Spirit and Serving the Lord in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

8/28/2023

Showing Teens in Moldova and Transnistria the Path to God
Amber Schafer

8/28/2023

Flooding in Kherson Compounds the Devastation of War
Amber Schafer

8/17/2023

Your Support Allows Us to Nurture Children
Amber Schafer

8/17/2023

Help the Children Agricultural Project: Giving At-Risk Families Food Security
Amber Schafer

8/15/2023

Last Hope
Amber Schafer

8/11/2023

Bring Help and Smiles to Ukrainian Children
Amber Schafer

8/1/2023

Skepticism Erased
Amber Schafer

8/1/2023

Natalia's Story: Attention Drawn to God Through Difficult Circumstances
Amber Schafer

7/25/2023

Greater Sports Camp for the Gospel
Amber Schafer

7/17/2023

Simplicity and Faithfulness
Amber Schafer

7/12/2023

Mila Finds Meaning in Life
Amber Schafer

6/26/2023

Help the Children: My Second Home
Amber Schafer

6/26/2023

Bringing Refugees Back to the Path of Hope
Amber Schafer

6/20/2023

Developing Young Leaders Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer

6/15/2023

God Changes Character
Amber Schafer

6/8/2023

Character Development Through Adventure Camp
Amber Schafer

6/1/2023

Why Volunteer?
Amber Schafer

6/1/2023

Ukraine War Update
Amber Schafer

6/1/2023

Karina’s Family Finds Help and Friendship at a Church in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

5/30/2023

Summer Break = Time for Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer

5/30/2023

The Russian Invasion: A Catalyst for Drawing People Into a Restored and Redeemed Relationship with
Amber Schafer

5/24/2023

A Different Life Picture is Taking Shape Through the Children of the Street Program
Amber Schafer

5/23/2023

Simple Things Bring About Great Change for Displaced Ukrainians
Amber Schafer

5/16/2023

Not Your Average Dream Come True!
Amber Schafer

5/11/2023

Like the Sun Shining in My Heart
Amber Schafer

5/8/2023

Inside Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer

4/25/2023

Vika Finds Hope Through Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer

3/30/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Strength to Serve
Amber Schafer

3/20/2023

Lida's Story
Amber Schafer

3/15/2023

A Review of Ministry in 2022
Amber Schafer

3/7/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Touching the Hearts of People
Amber Schafer

3/6/2023

The Significant Influence of Mentoring
Amber Schafer

3/2/2023

A Nebraska Grandmother Helps Bring Joy to Ukrainian Refugee Children
Amber Schafer

3/1/2023

Elena Finds Hope in an Unfamiliar Place
Amber Schafer

2/22/2023

God Changes Hearts
Amber Schafer

2/20/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Salt and Light
Amber Schafer

2/16/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Thank you for your continued remembrance and support
Amber Schafer

2/9/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: We Sincerely Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve
Amber Schafer

2/2/2023

The Joy of Seeing
Amber Schafer

1/31/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Precious Contributions
Amber Schafer

1/17/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: God is touching many lives through your help!
Amber Schafer

1/5/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Darker it is, the Greater the Need for Light.
Amber Schafer

1/4/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: When We Care for God's Kingdom, He Cares for Us
Amber Schafer

12/19/2022

Jesus Was a Refugee Too
Amber Schafer

12/19/2022

Loving and Helping Ukrainian Refugees this Christmas
Amber Schafer

12/15/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Working Miracles
Amber Schafer

12/14/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: You Helped Us Expand Our Boundaries
Amber Schafer

12/13/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Maintaining Relationships
Amber Schafer

12/6/2022

Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Sharing Spiritual and Physical Food
Amber Schafer

11/29/2022

Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Thank You for Your Encouragement!
Amber Schafer

11/28/2022

She Saw it as a Miracle!
Amber Schafer

11/10/2022

Backpacks for Refugee Children
Amber Schafer

11/8/2022

Olga: A Refugee Sharing Faith
Amber Schafer

11/3/2022

Attention, Care and Love
Amber Schafer

10/27/2022

Serving and Helping Together
Amber Schafer

10/19/2022

Zinaida and Ruslan: At First They Were Skeptical
Amber Schafer

10/5/2022

Tanya: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Support Through the Local Church
Amber Schafer

9/22/2022

Andrey: A Refugee Boy’s First Step on the Path of Spiritual Awakening
Amber Schafer

9/22/2022

Thank You for Responding to the Needs of Ukrainians
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

Zhanna: She Did Not Want to Hear Anything About the Church
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

A Refugee Family Thanks Our Partner in Transnistria
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

Tanya: Serving God by Working with Children
Amber Schafer

9/1/2022

Olga: This Program is the Best Way to Tell Children About Jesus
Amber Schafer

8/11/2022

Alla: This Church Has Become Like Family to Us
Amber Schafer

8/10/2022

Varya: Serving Children with a Heart Full of Love
Amber Schafer

8/4/2022

Olena: This Is My Story!
Amber Schafer

7/27/2022

Your Support Helped Refugee, Zlata, Receive a Food Package!
Amber Schafer

7/12/2022

Katya's Family Receives Shelter and Support from Help The Children
Amber Schafer

7/7/2022

Reaching the Hearts of Children and Refugees
Amber Schafer

6/28/2022

Seeking Hope and Security
Amber Schafer

6/22/2022

Refugees Receive Care and Support
Amber Schafer

6/7/2022

Refugees Experience the Care of the Local Church
Amber Schafer

5/31/2022

Your Care Makes a Difference in Wartime
Amber Schafer

5/19/2022

Fear to Faith
Amber Schafer

5/13/2022

A Seed Planted
Amber Schafer

5/2/2022

Opening Arms to Help Hurting Neighbors from Ukraine
Amber Schafer

4/26/2022

Practical Help to Refugees of War
Amber Schafer

4/12/2022

Refuge from War is Found at Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

4/4/2022

Helping Refugees from Ukraine Through the Help The Children Charity
Amber Schafer

3/31/2022

Transnistrian Partners Serve Like “The Good Samaritan”
Amber Schafer

3/30/2022

The Ukrainian Church is Serving in a Time of War
Amber Schafer

3/28/2022

Maybe There is a God!
Amber Schafer

3/17/2022

Help the Children is Providing Women and Children a Haven from the War
Amber Schafer

3/11/2022

Simple Blankets, Big Impact
Amber Schafer

2/24/2022

1,737 Children Hear About Jesus Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer

2/7/2022

Extreme Activities and Camping Make an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Teens
Amber Schafer

1/24/2022

Larisa's Family Is Helped Through The Local Church
Amber Schafer

12/14/2021

Reaching Neighborhood Youth Through Sports
Amber Schafer

12/14/2021

Family Food Pack Update
SMI Staff

10/5/2021

Vlad Gets Help Navigating Life
Amber Schafer

8/4/2021

Thanks from Children of the Street
SMI Staff

8/3/2021

A Relationship Leads to Discipleship
Amber Schafer

8/1/2021

“The Foundation of My Life Was Laid” Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer

6/1/2021

2020 in Retrospect
Esley Patsch, Founder

4/1/2021