Main YWAM Page, or to YWAM Communications, or to Main News Digest PageGOLF CLUBS AND balls feature in an unusual "drive" by missionaries to give young people hope for a brighter future.
Youth With A Mission workers are introducing the little-known sport to the country - struggling with a poor economy and high unemployment - as part of an effort to encourage small start-up businesses. Ukraine's first driving range is set to open in the capital, Kiev, this month.
Organizers aim to provide around ten jobs at the fledgling Kiev Golf Club, which has been equipped by a donation of thousands of balls, clubs and "pickers" - for gathering discarded balls - from clubs and sports stores in the United States and Canada.
"It's a small start, but we hope that it will grow and also that the experience will encourage other people to try new things, too," said YWAM leader Kelly Hoodikoff.
Working in evangelism and discipleship training in Ukraine since 1993, the YWAM workers founded their Telios development venture - an umbrella for small businesses - because of growing concern over the lack of prospects for young people.
"Under Communism everything was paid for, but now there is high unemployment, and many of them cannot find the work they need to pay for higher education. There are problems with crime, drug and alcohol use, depression," said Hoodikoff.
"It is not enough just to concentrate on starting churches. Jesus told us to disciple nations, and business is a powerful institution for doing that. There is a problem with the 'Mafia' in Ukraine, so we want the businesses we are involved with to set a good example in the way they are run."
An American four-handicap golfer, Hoodikoff said that he believed the unlikely-sounding golf business would be a successful start for Telios. "It's simple to run, and it's lots of fun. There is a huge deficit of opportunities for recreation in Ukraine, so I think golf will catch on just as tennis did a number of years back.
"There are many foreigners in Kiev now who would like to be able to keep up with their game, and Ukrainian businessmen will want to learn so they can play when they travel to the West."
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