Arenda Vasylenko with the Perspectiva21.3 bakery van.
Though the current war in the Middle East has shifted attention away from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the pain and terror for Ukrainians continues. Hardest hit are always those with the least voice and strength to oppose. Among these are the disabled.
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day and for many people in Ukraine it is a celebratory tradition, championed by a Christian family still living and thriving near Kyiv.
In the early 1990s I began travelling to Ukraine (with my wife Judy who was doing academic work at a university in Zaporizhzhia). I was there to engage in various humanitarian projects – and fell in love with the country of my ancestors. I’ve visited more than 20 times since.
In about 1993, we met the extended Vasylenko family living near Kyiv, and would often stay with them upon arriving at nearby Borispol airport. Andriy Vasylenko was finishing high school at that time and we became friends. We’ve stayed in contact ever since.
(Andriy’s father Peter had been a pastor in the ‘underground’ church during Soviet times, and I was moved hearing stories of a movement bathed in the sufferings and joys of very close fellowship).
The Vasylenko family, from left: Andriy, Peter, Mary, Elizabeth, Daniel and Arenda.
Andriy married Arenda in 2000, and their second child Peter was born with Down Syndrome in 2003. Peter’s birth revolutionized their lives – and touched mine.
The impact of young Peter’s condition caused Andriy and Arenda to co-found the first school for Down Syndrome in Ukraine. After some years of operation, the Ukrainian Department of Education requested them to implement their unique Christian-based training program throughout Ukraine.
To date, some 14,000 educational specialists have taken the training program they assembled. Arenda is the administrator of the school and Andriy oversees its finances, but his main job is managing the Ukrainian branch of Zeelandia, a major Dutch-based international manufacturer and supplier of bakery ingredients.
A Ukrainian non-profit, Perspectiva 21-3, was formed to serve as an umbrella for their sought-after services. (The ‘21.3’ refers to the Down genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21 – it’s also why Down Syndrome Day is annually on the 21st of March.)
They’ve started a cafe and a bakery to employ the Down’s young people. I visited in July of 2024, and spent time listening to Andriy and Arenda’s thoughts and plans for the future.
The invasion of Russia has profoundly impacted their lives, and drained their finances. Meanwhile, their son Peter has matured to a young man in his early 20s.
The mission of the Down Syndrome school has expanded into a five year program, including basic education, life skills, vocational training and supported living – now including persons with autism and other disabilities.
Tim Toronchuk (right) with Andriy Vasylenko at their current building.
The war has only intensified the needs of Down’s people and other disabled. Perspectiva 21.3 has quickly outgrown the small building they own and other rented space.
A large building next door was purchased but needs extensive renovations and reconstruction. I also toured this building and saw the great potential for its development.
Funds are lacking for this essential project.
When the subject of Ukraine’s current military defence of its country comes up in conversation, people often express a helpless frustration of their inability to do anything. Along with prayer, here’s something you and I can do.
Make a tax-deductible donation to the renovation of Perspectiva 21.3 building.
Think of it as ‘giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name’ to the suffering disabled in Ukraine. Make an e-transfer to donations@perspectiva21-3.org or by credit card thru Canada Helps to ‘World Outreach Communications Society.’
For more information contact me at manager@worldoutreachcomm.org.
(We may assemble a work crew later this year to go to Ukraine to assist in the renovation / reconstruction work. Contact me if you’re interested.)
For additional information visit the following links:
- the Perspectiva 21.3 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/perspectiva21.3 (If you scroll down to March 25, 2025 you’ll see Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s wife Olena visiting Perspectiva21.3 on World Down Syndrome Awareness Day last year.)
- Their Down Syndrome / disabilities site is https://perspectiva21-3.org/. On this page – https://perspectiva21-3.org/projectone?id=43 – is the ‘Building Renovation Project’ for which Canadians are raising funds. Scroll to the lower part of this page for an animated video of the finished building.
- Andriy’s personal Facebook page, shows narrated videos of him travelling to the front lines delivering humanitarian supplies and checking on small bakeries serving embattled villages: https://www.facebook.com/andriy.vasylenko.182380.