The College Student Mission Trip to aid orphanages in Ukraine, is a ministry of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. We hope to bring aid and comfort to special needs orphans and orphanages in a country that currently does not have the means to do so. By our actions, we hope to show the face of Christ to these children, their caregivers, their administrators, our host families and all we come in contact with and by doing so reaffirm the Holy Orthodox Faith amongst the people of Ukraine. We pray that by offering daily prayer services, as well as our love and works, that we will bring not only ourselves but all involved closer to Christ our God. This mission is also devised to provide young adults with the opportunity to deepen and learn about their faith through true Christian witness, pilgrimage, fellowship, and love.

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.

2022 Trip Dates August 8 - 18

The team will spend 10 days serving the special needs orphanages, soup kitchens and hospice care sponsored by the UOC of the USA.  Potential team members MUST be of colleg age 18(at time of trip) - 26 but DO NOT have to be currently enrolled in secondary education courses.  Once the application is received, you will receive a confirmation email to set up a meeting with a member of the selection committee.

ONLINE APPLICATION

You will need to have your Spiritual Father fill out a reference form which you can download below. The form may be emailed or sent by mail.  The application WILL NOT be complete until the reference form is received.

Spiritual Father Reference Form New Applicant

Spiritual Father Reference Form Returning Applicant