The Bishop Budka Charitable Society
The Society is proud of its economic, environmental, and cultural accomplishments.
Who We Are and What We Do Our Objects & Aims The Society's Beginnings
Working in Brazil Meeting Social Needs Developing Environmental Partnerships
Providing Educational Assistance Achievements in Brazil What's Next?
Want To Help Us Out? Contact Us Main Page
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society is an organization based in Edmonton,
Alberta that provides economic, cultural, and environmental assistance
to countries in need, such as Brazil and Ukraine.
to carry out projects and
programs of national and international assistance,
development and emergency relief;
to foster an awareness of our
global community through education, individual
and personal involvement;
to promote, encourage and
assist national and international aid and development;
to collect, raise and
distribute monies to support the aid and development
programs of the society.
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society was founded in 1984 by
John Koziak,
as a group of Canadian Ukrainians who wanted to help disadvantaged people
in developing nations. The Society is funded by the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), the Wild Rose Foundation, fundraising activities
and private donations.
The Society was named After Bishop Nikita Budka, a major figure in Canadian
Ukrainian history. In 1912, Bishop Budka became the first Ukrainian
Catholic Bishop in Canada. He worked in Canada for many years, helping
Canadian Ukrainians defend their traditions and create communities which
are still strong today. Bishop Budka's struggles and successes are
the inspiration for the society's international development work.
Though based in Canada, the Bishop Budka Charitable Society's
primary
development work has been done thousands of kilometres away in Brazil.
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society first became aware of the
problems
facing Brazilians through the large Ukrainian population in Brazil.
The late nineteenth century and post World War I years were periods of
mass migration from Ukraine. Many chose Brazil as their new home.
There are now approximately 500 000 people of Ukrainian descent living
in Brazil. After having met a Brazilian priest visiting Canada, the
Society recognized that it could play a role in assisting the people of
Brazil.
The agriculture industry employs approximately 30 % of the Brazilian
population. Although Brazilian agriculture is able to support its
population, the industry is riddled with systemic problems. Poor
infrastructure in the transport and sale of crops has caused many individual
farmers to abandon their land and move to the cities.
Many Brazilians who have remained in the agriculture industry have been
living in poverty. They have been unable to refine products adequately,
and could not sell their products at a fair price. Most farmers bartered
their raw goods for household staples, being unable to sell their crops
for cash. Many recognized the need for change, but had not been able
to organize themselves to address these issues.
The Tropical Forest Institute of Self-Sustaining Growth recognized the
need for farming reforms in Brazil. The Institute, working in conjunction
with the Bishop Budka Charitable Society, has developed programs to help
organize farmers and reduce some of the barriers that keep farmers in poverty.
The first project of the Bishop Budka Charitable Society in
Brazil was
helping to rebuild a flood-damaged orphanage. After the completion
of that project, the Society began working with the Brazilian Zemel'nyi
Komitet (Land Committee). The main focus of the committee was helping
poor farmers acquire more land for their crops. This aid was provided
in the form of Loans which would be repaid over time in produce.
In 1991, the Bishop Budka Charitable Society began looking for
other
projects in Brazil. The Society funded a project Marcondes to finish
building a local granary. The $50 000 initiative helped the local
farmers equip the facility to dry, clean and store their raw products.
Following the success of this project, the local government undertook to
help provide other granary facilities within the state and in the surrounding
area.
Developing Environmental Partnerships
At this time, the Bishop Budka Charitable Society entered into a
partnership
with the Tropical Forest Institute. Working in concert, these two
groups initiated a number of projects in three Brazilian states.
To identify areas of need and create practical solutions, they turned to
the local communities for ideas. Out of this consultation, a deep
need for collective action on the part of small farmers was identified.
With the help of the Bishop Budka Charitable Society and the
Tropical
Forest Institute, the local farmers established associations that
continue to work today.
The Society has helped fund a total of about 60 farmer associations.
Each association comprises about 75 to 100 families. Together, farmers
are able to build better facilities to prepare their products for sale,
and collectively bargain for better prices on their goods. The Bishop
Budka Charitable Society provides start-up funding for these associations
directly, allowing the members of each group to set their own goals and
priorities, and implement their own projects. Continued funding is
available through local and federal governments and other international
agencies.
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society has taken an active role in
environmental
concerns in Brazil. In conjunction with the associations, the Society
has established plant nurseries. These nurseries produce alternative
crops for the farmers as well as help to re-establish indigenous tree populations
in the local environment.
By cultivating these different crops, the farmers are diversifying their
products. Previously, many farmers were dependent on one or two staple
crops. The nursery program has allowed farmers to expanding their
chances for success. By providing funding for these nurseries, the
Bishop Budka Charitable Society is helping communities connect the local
economy with protecting the environment.
Providing Educational Assistance
The Ukrainian communities in Brazil recognized a need to help preserve
their culture and their connections with Ukrainians as a Second Language
program has been instituted in the Brazilian educational system.
The Bishop Budka Charitable Society partially funded the
development of
curriculum and resources.
The Society, sponsored two educational consultants from Edmonton to
conduct a teacher training course in Brazil. The Bishop Budka Charitable
Society helped to bring a Brazilian teacher to Canada to develop Ukrainian
as a Second Language materials. In 1997, additional resources were
sent to Brazil, and the Society continues to promote Ukrainian language
education in Brazil.
To date the Society has:
contributed approximately $400
000 for rural agricultural development;
provided initial start-up funds
for 60 associations and agricultural nursery
projects;
stimulated the Brazilian
government to assist in rural development;
positively affected over 4 000
families through its development projects.
We plan to help the Brazilian farmer associations create mini-industry
enterprises in their communities. These projects include the packaging
and marketing of products, such as teas, jams and jellies. By refining
raw materials into finished products, the farmers can stimulate the economy
and protect themselves from exploitation.