Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize spurs donation to Ukrainian orphanage

Democrats Abroad Ukraine donation to complete orphanage medical center

KYIV, Nov. 2, 2009 (UBO) -- The Ukraine branch of Democrats Abroad, a group affiliated with the U.S. Democratic Party, celebrated President Barack Obama’s designation to receive the Nobel Peace Prize by donating windows valued at UAH 50,000 to an orphanage at the town of Komarivka in Kyiv Oblast. The windows were the final step to make a newly constructed medical center usable to accommodate the health needs of the 120 orphans who call the orphanage home.

“We are all very proud of the selection of President Obama as the 2009 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize,” said Democrats Abroad Ukraine Chairman Reno Domenico.  “I thought the New York Times put it well in its editorial when it pointed out that President Obama has made tremendous progress toward providing positive leadership in the world - a world that is in terrible need of constructive leadership.”

“In celebration of President Obama's selection, we are presenting windows valued at UAH 50,000 to complete and make ready for use the medical center at the Komarivka orphanage,” he said.

Domenico said that Democrats Abroad has chapters in countries around the world.  The organization gives Americans living overseas the opportunity to participate in the U.S. political process. The Ukraine chapter has 170 members, all American expatriates living in Ukraine.

The funds used to purchase the windows were raised during an event the group held in Kyiv last January to celebrate President Obama’s inauguration as the country’s 44th president.

A symbolic check to pay for the windows was presented to Viktor Andriyovych Stryzhenko, director of the Komarivka secondary school-orphanage during a news conference at the Opera Hotel in Kyiv on October 14. The actual payment was made by bank transfer in keeping with Ukrainian law. Members of Democrats Abroad Ukraine and several children from the orphanage were in attendance.  Following the news conference, the children were treated to lunch and a visit to the Kyiv Zoopark before returning to Komarivka.

The installation of the windows began almost immediately after the presentation ceremony and the orphanage officially notified Democrats Abroad today that the job had been completed and that the orphanages medical center is now open and able to operate efficiently.

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To view a gallery of photos from the October 14 events, link at: