Schaffhausen’s "Prize for a Collaborated Development Work 2006" goes to the church in Hallau

Occasioned by the meeting of the Schaffhausen Canton Council on Monday the 13th of November, 2006, followed the presentation of the prize for a collaborated development work for the year 2006 to Brother Ernst G. from the Hallau church. The action “Greenhouses for the Ukraine” was awarded. How did this come about?

Saving Thoughts

The Ukraine is historically known as the granary of Europe. During the time of the Soviet Union, the very beautiful and fruitful land was run down. Already before the fall of the iron curtain, individual friends from the West sought contacts there to upright people and they often came in amazing ways.

There was still an unimaginable need and poverty also with the friends in the Ukraine about 7 years ago: not enough clothing, poor food supply, improper housing, etc. To begin with, the church gave humanitarian help. Very soon, however, it became evident that it must become a “help to self help” if one wanted to change something for the better in a lasting way.

In the Ukraine, many had already tried building something similar to green houses with very primitive methods in order to better their poor existence. God gave the brothers that were responsible for Russia the idea to find used green houses in the West, take them apart and assemble them again in the Ukraine.

Disassembling of the Greenhouses

Ernest G. soon found used greenhouses in Switzerland that could be had without charge, if he took them apart himself. In faith, he accepted the work-filled opportunities and organized disassembly, transportation and reassembly. Friends from Sonnmatt, Germany and France energetically supported those from Hallau with disassembling the giant greenhouses.

They were nearly always under time pressure. Still, a good working spirit prevailed and the disassembly work was mastered with excitement. The glass and material from a number of greenhouses were transported by the ton with semitrailers to the Ukraine.

Altogether, the friends put in at least 13,000 working hours just for the disassembly work. We saw what the body of Christ is capable of when many members help along. In this way, the assignments brought the participants special experiences and more fellowship.

Assemblage and Development

Several young friends from different countries were helpful with the reassembly work in the Ukraine. They also got to know the people of the Ukraine some. They are still characterized by the way of life under Communism. The preliminary result of the project is that a hectare of ground is covered with glass or plastic sheeting and is planted with vegetables. The Ukrainian people and friends are thereby learning to work carefully and regularly, and for self profit and use. The company Bessarabia Agroinvest Ltd. was officially established and is marketing the entire production – predominantly tomatoes, cucumber and cabbage – in their own country. They are already enjoying a good reputation.

The Chief Officer for the EU Developmental Support declared to Ernst G. that he considers this business a Pilot Project! The business with the greenhouses gives; first and foremost, young people a hope and perspective for their lives. It looks as though the “Help to Self-help” succeeded.

Last summer, 10 young Ukrainian friends disassembled a 5,000 quadrate meter greenhouse by themselves in Switzerland. They worked zealously for 5 weeks from morning to evening although the work conditions were not pleasant because of the hot temperatures. They paid for the cost of the trip themselves.

There is great joy when people with a communistic background develop self motivation.

Prize Competition and Presentation

Since 1978, The Canton Council of Schaffhausen awards each year a „Prize for a Collaborated Developmental Work”. The prize money awarded amounts to 25,000 Swiss Francs. The Hallau church was made aware of this competition and saw that their project, “Greenhouses for the Ukraine” fulfilled the participation requirements. Ernst G. submitted a complete comprehensive document to the responsible persons. These ultimately allocated the Prize of the Year in 2006 to those of the church in Hallau, from 7 entries.

This good news resulted in great thankfulness and a general festive spirit in the church at Hallau!

With the award money, 1,000 greenhouse lights and a replacement tractor was purchased for the friends in the Ukraine. 

Actual Situation at the Beginning of the Year 2010

Now that the business has already existed about 10 years, we can include a summarization of the following additions:

During the entire time, about 18 – 25 people (depending on the work costs and season) have received a respectable wage. No money was being “pumped in” from outside for several years, which means that the business is also financially holding its own. Naturally, further supervision on our part is unavoidable. That’s why several visits a year and, above all, contact through e-mail and Skype are important.

Since the start, a lot in the country has changed for the better. Several neighbors have copied, for example, similar greenhouses (plastic sheet tunnels) and can also produce them better. Through this, not only for these people is the situation improved some, our business has grown some to the competition. As well known, competition revives the market and has incited our friends to more effort.

Lately, above all, there has taken place a joyful exchange between the youth in the Ukraine and those here in the west. In the fall of 2008, about 20 youths from the Hallau church were there and, during a work party, laid an entrance way to the greenhouses with interlocking paver. Now, even by bad weather, a good and secure entrance is made sure. The close friendships are probably as valuable as the streets that were built. Also, recently 2 young workers from this company were in an internship in Switzerland and could learn quite a bit for their work at home. A young sister from Hallau worked 2 months beginning last October there because she liked it so well.

Also last fall, a young brother from Hallau traveled there and regulated the climate control so well that, if it works, we can control the greenhouses over internet from here.

In the coming year, it’s planned for the old business building from the Soviet Union to receive a new roof. After the building of a depot, that would be the second construction that the friends have accomplished from their own financial strength.