For years now, Ukraine has been hit by a severe economic and political crisis. More than 60 percent of the population live below the poverty line and often cannot even afford their accommodation or family upkeep. Many children end up on the street, and especially for socially disadvantaged marginalized groups – particularly for Roma – the already difficult living situation has even worsened. Without access to medical care, the chance to get hit by diseases and epidemics is very high. The child mortality rate is on an all-time high.
In the day care centre "St. Martin de Porres", established and continally supported by the H. Stepic CEE Charity, children are offered hot meals, clean clothes and human care. A new Medical Centre was built next to it now thanks to the help of further sponsors: Doctors and nurses care for the health of the children visiting the day care center, but also for those living in and around Fastiv, who otherwise would not get any treatment due to missing papers or lack of money. The medical staff also regularly visits the nearby Roma settlement to provide primary health care for the inhabitants.
The Charity supports the Medical Centre and its dedicated staff in helping the poorest. Currently approximately 150 people per month utilize the services provided by the institution, where doctors, paramedics and nurses help their patients up to five times a week for three hours each.
