By Julia Leaman
leaman@newsroom.byu.edu@by2:NewsNet Staff Writer
Seeing Benj Becker and Nate Shipp, two students who have started a non-profit organization called Project Reach Out, adds new meaning to sacrificing for those less fortunate. PRO, founded by Becker and Shipp founded in January 2000, aids orphanages as they gather volunteers and raise money to benefit orphans in the Ukraine.
Benj Becker, 22, a junior from Bountiful, Utah, majoring in English, said, 'We have a great love for the children. We just want to help out.'
One difference between PRO and other charitable organizations is that they don't buy supplies here. They buy all the supplies in the Ukraine because it betters the economy and they have the supplies that the orphans are accustomed to, Becker said.
Nate Shipp, 23, a junior at the University of Utah from Salt Lake City, majoring in accounting, is the co-founder of PRO with Becker. Becker and Shipp were missionary companions in the Ukraine.
'I never thought it would be this successful. It's been neat to see it grow,' Shipp said.
Becker said their main struggle is getting PRO volunteers. The hope for volunteers is great for Becker and Shipp; they both put in hours of a part-time job.
Sara Smoot, 20, a junior from San Diego, Calif., majoring in mathematics, has been involved as a volunteer since the beginning of the semester. She spends time getting students to volunteer and planning a charity concert for next semester.
'I was looking for something to do to help people and I love to see the kids get help. I know a lot can be done. That's why I decided to do it,' Smoot said.
When Shipp was a missionary, he promised himself he would do what he could to return and help the situation there. Now that the project is underway, the motivation and drive doesn't dwindle for Shipp and Becker, but continues to get stronger.
'I go to bed at night and think 'I got a lot done today,' but those kids are still there and need our help,' Shipp said.
Project 2000 provided the orphanages with 1500 diaper suits, over 1000 kilograms of flour, barley, rice and sugar, a years supply of antibiotics, pills, lotions, soaps and medical devices, over 1000 boxes of juice and 1200 bottles of nutritional baby food.
They also helped set up an adoption program that will run through a volunteer-service called 'Families for Children.' This service works continuously to arrange adoptions throughout the world; many of the children are adopted by Utah families.
Project 2001 hopes to provide winter and summer clothing, vitamins and necessary medical equipment and supplies, equipment for cold food storage and industrialized machines for washing clothes for over 1000 children in five orphanages.
They also plan to replace over 125 cracked or broken windows, over 35 doors, and provide paint and new carpeting for five orphanages.
Last year, PRO mainly focused on 0-3 year olds. Next year they will focus a little more on 3-12 year olds by providing music and dance lessons.
'We don't want to just provide food and supplies, but skills that could benefit the children by boosting their self-esteem and help them realize their potential,' Becker said.
'I don't think you can find a worthier cause,' said Emily Morris, 20, a junior from Salt Lake City and a PRO volunteer.
'Everyone has to find a cause that they believe in. I think about how my greatest blessing is my family, and these are kids that don't have families,' she said.
A Relief Society President in the Kiev area checks up on the orphanages about once a week. If something is running short, Becker and Shipp wire money to her to get food or supplies.
'We don't have to go over there to make sure everything is OK. The kids are always getting what they need and we are always aware of their needs,' Becker said.
When Becker and Shipp first got to Ukraine on the first project of May 2000, the children had not eaten in 24 hours. They rented a big van and went around with the nurses getting food like barley, rice, and juice. The last couple days of their trip they just played with the kids, gave them chocolate and played outside with them.
'Just seeing these kids with their huge eyes run up to you everyday and noticing they need someone to love them and play with them,' Becker said.
Up till the very end of the May 2000 project, they did all they could to make their stay meaningful for the children.
'The day before we left we were taking trains to lots of orphanages and then just an hour before we had to leave for the airport, we bought food and supplies from a drug store to drop off to another orphanage,' Becker said.
For now, Becker and Shipp continue to prepare for their second year reunion with the children they have grown to love so much. As for the future, Becker said it's unlimited where it can go.
For more information or to become a PRO volunteer, email Benj Becker brb25@email.byu.edu.