 When a group of dedicated volunteers came up against almost insurmountable problems in their efforts to get support for mothers with handicapped children, they decided to work their way out of the problem.
Varvara Korin worked to unite parents of disabled children in Boyarka as she has daughter with autism and there is no hope that somebody will take care of her after Varvara dies. She is divorced from her husband because he couldn't stand the emotional strain of taking care of
a disabled daughter. Varvara realized there are many others in the same situation and she organized and founded the Philanthropic Society of Assistance to Disabled People and People with Insufficiency of Intellect "ARK".
ARK members dream of constructing a Rehabilitation Center for the education and development of mentally disabled and challenged persons, as there is no such center or program now. Most times those affected are shunned by society and their family is left to care for them. Since there is little hope for government and private sponsorship, the ARK group chose patchwork quilting as a project that could attract society's attention to problems of those children, to produce income for the development of ARK, and eventually allow many of the mothers in need to help themselves.
 Quilting, a handcraft art that used to be utilitarian in nature, was known during American colonial times, but only became common in the 1850's when previously scarce cotton materials became more readily available. Since that time, quilting has been not only functional, but also artistic in design and craft. Tens of thousands of American families provided their own warm bedding and often developed quilts as gifts, a stylish interior decoration or for sale.
As the photos show, the women of ARK, led by Varvara, have mastered the art and begun turning out substantial numbers of well-made quilts that are offered for sale in fairs and exhibitions at Kyiv's Lavra exhibition hall and other public venues in the area.
Government support for handicapped children is so paltry that in many cases it amounts to no more than the equivalent of 60-70 dollars per month for the child and 1-2 dollars per month for the mother to take care of her child.
With instruction and support, mothers may be able to develop their skills to produce quilts that ARK may then market, with all funds going back to the mother to help take care of her child or children. The major advantage of quilting is that it allows a mother to stay at home and take care of her children, while at the same time doing something productive and income producing. Also, quilting allows a participant to express her artistry as she develops her own style and technique of quilt design.
 In addition to the current series of exhibitions and sales, ARK plans to:
- Publish a magazine to teach others in Ukraine the art of quilting and to raise awareness of the mentally disabled.
- Make a continuous display and sale of quilts that benefits ARK and mothers of affected students.
- Develop a Ukrainian Quilting Association as an affiliate of the International Quilting Association.
Anyone who is interested in purchasing quilts, learning quilting or would like to help ARK fulfil its mission of helping Ukraine's mothers of handicapped and retarded children, please contact the Director of ARK Varvara Korin, 8 (04498) 40929, kovchegorg@inbox.ru or Eugenia Bonchuk at bonchuk@gmail.com. http://www.ark.org.ua/
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