This post was originally published on this site

Eight college aged young adults are chosen from a pool of applicants to compose the Mission Team. The Team Members are led by a Spiritual Team Leader and a Lay Community Team Leader.

While on site, the Team spends time with the children playing educational games, conducting a “special olympics’ type program, helping during meals and physical therapy, singing, performing short plays and special projects such as teaching the children basic gardening skills. The activities are tailored to fit with children who have multiple disabilities such as: leukemia, physical deformity, Downs’ Syndrome, and mental disability to name a few.

The team also helps with physical improvements to the facilities such as spackling walls, painting, repairs to furniture and wooden structures, and whatever may be needed at the time of trip.

The Team Members are responsible for raising the funds for their trip. Any funds that they raise above what is needed for the cost of the trip becomes the Team’s donation to the orphanage.

While in Ukraine, the Team is given the opportunity to visit historic sites and tour the capital – Kyiv.

The trip lasts for 16 days, which includes a day for orientation and a day for debriefing in South Bound Brook, NJ.