By Leah Schwartz in Odessa, Ukraine

In Ukraine, women who are dealing with a crisis pregnancy or who have experienced an abortion have few places to turn if they want help.

Historically, the abortion rate has been very high, and many women have had multiple abortions. During Soviet times, contraception was not available; thus abortion was, and continues to be, a common method of birth control.

Ukraine is short on social programs or organizations that help people, including women who may want to parent a child, but do not feel they are capable (financially or otherwise). So in Odessa, a team of missionaries and Ukrainians have started Choose Life.

 Volunteers sort baby clothes donated to the Choose Life center. 

Choose Life runs a Women’s Center that offers pregnancy tests, consultations, material help and classes. About 45 volunteers are involved in the ministry.

Private health care is quite unusual in Ukraine, where most people rely on government-run hospitals and clinics. Pray that more volunteers will finish their training and that more clients will come to the center.