Kobzar Society equips schools and monasteries in Ukraine with computers (08/07/05)

Kobzar Society equips schools and monasteries in Ukraine with computers

PITTSBURGH - The Kobzar Society recently launched a new initiative designed to equip schools and monasteries in Ukraine operated by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great with computer equipment. The new technology will enable them to improve communications within the order and enhance their ministerial work throughout the country.

Sponsored by the Kobzar Society, a matching grant from the Maria Hulai Foundation and individual donations to the Philadelphia Province of the Sisters of St. Basil, the new program is viewed as an important step in the order's mission. Since emerging from religious underground after the fall of communism, the Ukraine Basilian Sisters' Province continues to recruit and educate novices and is in need of ongoing support.

The society shipped an initial installment of 12 computers from its Pittsburgh technical center in May, and hopes to send additional computers in the near future. The first shipment was distributed to the mother house in Lviv, a catechetical institute in Ivano-Frankivsk, plus monasteries, seminaries, retreat centers and schools in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Lviv and Zaporizhia oblasts.

"We are very grateful to the Kobzar Society and the Maria Hulai Foundation for the donation of computers," stated Sister Ann Laszok, OSBM, who is missioned to the Pastoral Ministry Office of St. Josaphat Eparchy, located in Pittsburgh. "They will enable Ukraine to improve its education programs, bring unity to the activities of the Order in Ukraine, and help us rekindle the flame of faith throughout Western and Eastern Ukraine."

The Order of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great is an international order whose ministries include education, pastoral ministry, social work, retreats, and spiritual direction. In addition to the United States and Ukraine, the order has other provinces in Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Brazil, Australia and Argentina that have educational and social ministries.

To date the Kobzar Society, which launched its Computers for Ukraine program in 2000, has shipped over 500 computers to schools, libraries, community computer centers, orphanages, hospitals, and churches throughout Ukraine.

The Pittsburgh chapter is directed by Karl J. Skutski, founder of Skutski & Oltmanns, a Pittsburgh-based public relations agency. The chapter collects and refurbishes used computers from businesses, hospitals and universities in the area. The Brother's Brother Foundation, one of the nation's largest humanitarian relief organizations, serves as the chapter's base of operation and technical center, and also provides warehousing space.

According to the sisters, many more computers are needed to support the ministry of the order. "Computers are essential to our educational, social and religious activities," explained Sister Ann. "They are tools that can help us accelerate our work, and reach out to people in need across the country."

Anyone wishing to donate to the Basilian Sisters' computer initiative can do so by sending a check to the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Kobzar Society, c/o Skutski & Oltmanns, Suite 700, 100 First Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

As a result of a special two-for-one matching grant program, made possible by a generous grant from the Maria Hulai Foundation, the society is able to refurbish and ship two complete computer systems for a single donation of $240.

Additional information on the work of the Kobzar Society is available on the organization's website,www.kobzarsociety.org.

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