 |
Ukraine
Ukrainian Contacts
Gary Podolsky (Winnipeg, Medical Doctor)
I am a Ukrainian-Canadian and have been to Ukraine 3 times in the last year. I would not say that I am an expert on Ukraine but having travelled there I would like very much for other people to visit there.
Ukraine since becoming independent in 1991 of the USSR still faces many problems- the effects of Chernobyl, poverty, energy crises, and threats to democracy but I believe that given a fair chance life for Ukrainians will improve. I am enthusiastic about promoting travel to Ukraine Ukraine is not Russia and many conceptions of it portrayed in the popular media are wrong.
Travellers going there would benefit from knowing how to read the Ukrainian Cyrillic alphabet and speak some Ukrainian or Russian. If you are travelling to Ukraine it would be best to travel with an organized tour (Ukrainian based of course not Russian as these tours may reinforce incorrect perspectives on Ukraine) and an interpreter as a vacation destination. In my travel clinic I see many tourists spending large amounts of money on vacations to exotic places but not experiencing some of the true joys of travel- meeting local people, seeing local culture. Much of the money going to resort travel goes towards multinational foreign owned companies and little to the local economy. Ukraine is one place that desperately needs tourists- to help their economy and also to dispel myths about Ukraine. Having foreigners visit and invest will also strengthen their democratic freedoms. Travel to Ukraine may not always be comfortable or convenient compared with other destinations but with good planning it can be a very good vacation will tangibly help the people of Ukraine.
There are several excellent books on history and modern travel to Ukraine. I have written a brief description of the health problems affecting Ukraine on this website here
On my last visit I met several people who are willing to help prospective visitors by allowing their email to be listed so that they may be contacted for information about Ukraine.
Websites on Ukraine: www.ukraine.com Kiev newspapers: http://kievukraine.info/newspapers.htm Links on this website about Ukraine:
Contacts in Ukraine The following people are those whom I met and are interested in discussing aspects of Ukraine. This is provided for information only and I cannot endorse everything they say or advise. This forum is meant to be a free exchange of information. Other people who would like to be added to this list may contact me and I will be glad to consider adding them (there is no charge for this as this is a voluntary and free association). Victor Kimakovic (Ivan Frankysk, Medical and Nursing rotations) I did not meet with Victor but was given his email contact for any other Canadian Medical professionals who wish to travel to Western Ukraine to contact. If planning to become involved as a volunteer physician or nurse or student please outline what you plan to do. You shpould be responsible for all you own costs (food, lodging and transport) and possible translator services if you require them. Mr Kimakovik is also interested in helping Ukrainian Canadians research their Geneology and can provide some assistance. he is also interested in discovering his own relatives and would like to have Canadians with the surnames Kimakovic, Kimakovich, Kimakowicz, and Kimakovitz please contact him to see if they are related. His email is stanis@il.if.ua and website for more information is www.galacia.org.ua
Olga Tsap (Interpreter, Kyiv/ Kiev) e-mail: tsap_olga@yahoo.com Phone: (+38) 050 656 33 08 She has acted as an Interpreter for English, Italian and Russian Tourists and is particularly knowledgeable in the Kyiv Lavra monastery as well as religious and architectural history. She is also able to help find visitors apartments for rent in Kyiv.
Lesya`Onufrak (Interpreter and Teacher, Ivano- Frankivsk) She may be contacted for interpretation and information about Ivano- Frankivsk / Western Ukraine. She was very helpful along with her friend Oksana (whom I don t have a contact email for yet) to facilitate a meeting with the Ivano- Frankivsk Vice-Mayor who was kind enough to see me without much prior notice. Phone: +38 097 3388 137 E-mail: sandra_03_ol@yahoo.co.uk
Olena Romazon (Interpreter/translator, Ivano- Frankivsk) Lena was helpful as an interpreter when I was in the Ivano Frankivsk City hospital and I would recommend her to anyone who is planning to tour a medical facility. Phone: +38 097 9422204
Antoliy Furola (Ukrainian-Canadian Business Centre, 26 Dnistrovska st, Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine Phone/fax: +380 (342) 552022, 552026, and 559156. Web site: www.business.if.ua E-mail: furda@sbedif.if.ua This centre focuses on a range of services to develop business in that region including: Business training, Educational programs, Business counselling, Informational and office services, and a Business centre network. This centre was highly recommended by my translators and the people in the hospital and would be an essential place to start for businesses or individuals going to Ivano- Frankivsk.
Yuri Kurkhar (Economist, Energy dept Ivano-Frankivsk) E-mail: ykurhar@yahoo.com I met Yuri on the train from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kyiv and we had a long and informative conversation about Ukraine's present situation. He may be contacted for questions about Western Ukraine.
Oksana Gribk (Interpreter- English, German, Russian, Ukrainian, Kyiv) Phone: (+38) 097 939 90 90 E-mail: gribko@list.ru Oksana G may also help visitors to Kyiv find temporary apartments close to the downtown that may be cheaper and more comfortable than the larger hotels but still central I would like to add more individuals to it and I am working on providing more contacts.
|
|
|
