St Michael the Archangel Hospice Zaporozhye -Ukraine
The mission of Chalice of Mercy has always been to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the poor people of Ukraine. Recently, the director of St. Michael the Archangel Hospice Center in Zaporozhye, Bladimir Alexeevich, made the local Auxiliary Bishop, Jan Sobilo, aware of needs at the hospice. He explained the difficult situation in the hospice, where the local government wanted to close the hospice, instead sponsoring it. Hearing this, our hearts began to burn with a desire to help the needy and bring relief to the suffering.
In 2002, the mayor of Zaporozhye, Alexander Polyak, began a hospice for the poorest of the poor and for cancer patients with stage four cancer, who have no one to help them. He established the hospice on the same property of the local Hospital Number 10. After the mayor had died, the local government didn’t care about the hospice, and it didn’t receive any government assistance; functioning only on the small pension of the patients. The building which houses the hospice was built in 1953, with few repairs and updates since then.
The hospice was in dire need of repair, with an antiquated electrical system which was a threat to patients, staff and needed immediate replacement. Radiators also required repair because they did not heat the rooms properly. The wood framed windows were in such poor condition that they didn’t keep out the cold weather. The furniture is still in poor condition, with new beds, patient tables, and chairs needed. The linoleum floors are in extremely poor condition and, many areas are badly cracked or bare. There is only one bathroom, with one toilet, tub and sink for 32 patients and staff. The toilets and bathroom plumbing was in such poor condition and not safe. There are no handicapped accessible features for the bathrooms such as railings, raised seats or emergency assistance pulls. Nurses must physically lift patients into the bathroom and help them to use the toilet.
But, much renovation was done with Chalice of Mercy’s mission trip in June 5-11, 2011:
- Walls were refinished and new flooring installed in patient rooms
- New windows were installed
- Kitchen was gutted and remodeled
- Emergency handicap exits and doors were build
- The work on the bathroom has started and continues
There is still much work to do. One of our biggest concerns is the outdated or lack of medical equipment. Much of the medical equipment is in need of replacement. Sadly, some supplies meant for single use, must be sterilized and reused. The sterilizing machine that they have is rusted and does not provide proper sanitation. The wheelchairs the hospice have are broken and don’t have proper wheels or footrests. Patients who are immobile do not have sufficient diapers or bed toilets. Mattresses are in need of replacement because they are several years old and smell of urine. There is a tremendous need for equipment to help bedridden people, to make it easier for patients and the hospice staff. The employees work in these conditions the best they can, and make every effort to keep everything clean and as pleasant as possible.
Most important, this hospice is open to spiritual and physical support from Chalice of Mercy. Because of Ukraine’s former communist regime, many medical facilities are not open to religion. They want us to teach, pray with patients, and when possible, to help them receive the last sacraments before dying. Chalice of Mercy’s mission has found volunteers from the Legion of Mary at the local parish of Merciful Father God. They are taking on a great task of serving the spiritual needs of patients, by simply visiting them, praying with them and comforting them in their loneliness and suffering.
In 2012, we intend to continue to devote much of our work to helping St. Michael the Archangel Hospice. We need your help. Please pray for the mission and the hospice in His bountiful mercy.
Mission trip to St. Michael the Archangel Hospice
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