From Streets to Smiles: The Transform Uzhhorod Alliance Brings Hope to Rroma Communities
In the heart of Uzhhorod, Ukraine, a playground stands as a testament to the power of community, perseverance, and divine timing. What began as a response to a heartbreaking situation—children playing in dangerous streets—has blossomed into something far greater: a beacon of hope for entire communities.
After Before
A Dream Three Years in the Making
The journey began when One Collective witnessed a troubling reality in three Rroma camps: children were being injured by vehicles as they played in the only space available to them—the streets. This observation sparked a vision that would take three years of devoted prayer and planning to realize.
Through an extraordinary partnership with our sister city, Corvallis, Oregon, this vision began to take shape. The Corvallis/Uzhhorod Sister City Association didn’t just offer support—they donated an entire playground. Local volunteers meticulously disassembled the structure, with Kids Around The World stepping in to store and refurbish it for its new home across the ocean.
A Vision Expanded: The Rroma Social Life Center
But God had bigger plans. As the playground waited in storage, the Rroma Church of Jesus Christ, a vital member of our Transform Uzhhorod Alliance, shared their own dream: a comprehensive Rroma Social Life Center (RSLC). Through the generous support of Vineyard Church in Ohio and One Collective, this dream took its first step toward reality with the purchase of a property that would become far more than just a playground.
The RSLC embodies our core mission of providing “food, freedom, and forgiveness” to the Rroma community:
Food: Meeting Physical Needs
- Food distribution to families in need
- Laundry and shower facilities for communities without running water
- An affordable bakery
- A gymnasium for health and wellness
- Temporary housing for families in transition
Freedom: Building Independence
- Job creation through a café and hair salon
- Legal aid center fighting for social rights
- Educational support including:
- Pre-school preparation
- Primary school
- Tutoring center
- A safe playground for children to thrive
Forgiveness: Sharing Christ’s Love
At the heart of the RSLC is our commitment to share Jesus’s love through both words and actions. Local Rroma church members will staff the center daily, building meaningful relationships and fostering spiritual growth within the community.
The Next Step: Building Our Foundation
Today, the playground stands complete, filled with the joyful sounds of children at play. But this is just the beginning. Our next crucial phase is laying the foundation for the main RSLC building and establishing essential infrastructure—electricity, water, and sewage systems.
Join Our Mission
We need to raise $6,500 to complete this vital next step. Your contribution will help transform these dreams into reality, creating a lasting impact for generations of Rroma families.
Will you partner with us in this transformative work? Visit our project page to learn more and make a donation that will help build not just a building, but a brighter future for the Rroma community in Uzhhorod.
Together, we can turn streets of danger into pathways of hope.