Mum praises JBD for its life-changing support
YOUNG WORLD Jewish Relief supporters visited Ukraine to see the charity’s work in action.
Led by Young WJR co-ordinator Sam Schryer, the group visited Kryvyi Rih, a post-industrial town in Eastern Ukraine which has been badly hit by the decline of the manufacturing industry.
They learned about WJR’s efforts to help unemployed Jews find sustainable jobs to lift their families out of poverty. They also met people who had lost family in the conflict in the east of the country.
The itinerary also took in Dnipro, where older Jews gather every week as part of the charity’s Warm Homes programme.
Group member Andrew Davidson said afterwards: “Apart from a reminder of how much we take for granted in the UK, the trip left me with a great feeling of warmth and respect for the people we met.
“I also was astounded by how valuable and effective World Jewish Relief’s projects seemed to be.”
UNTIL LAST summer, 30-year-old Adam Field — the focus of Jewish Blind & Disabled’s Pesach appeal — lived with his parents and sister.
“As with most families there was sometimes tension,” his mother Tracy recalled. “But our lives were made more complicated by Adam’s condition, which meant his dexterity was severely impaired. On bad days he even struggled to get out of bed and had no strength in his hands.”
Meeting his needs “inevitably put strain on the family”.
Their lives changed when he was offered an apartment in JBD’s Aztec House in
Chigwell. Initially he moved in for two nights a week and “could not wait to come back to the family home”, Mrs Field said. “But this changed until not only was he no longer worried about returning to Aztec House — he actually couldn’t wait to wave us goodbye.”
She said the change in her son had been “unbelievable. He has total independence and is loving it. He cooks for himself, prides himself on doing his housework and absolutely loves his time in the laundry room where he chats to people while doing his washing.” The family knew that he was living in a caring and supportive environment “and this opportunity has enhanced all our lives”.