The Holidays were was a little more plentiful for more than 2,500 poor and mostly elderly Hellenes in Georgia and Uzbekistan who received a three-month supply of food staples courtesy of the food distribution program of the Primary Health Care Initiative (PHCI) founded by Andrew A. Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes (SAE).  Since the beginning, the PHCI has been sending food and clothing to vulnerable Hellenes living in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.  Thousands of people have received ample supplies flour, sugar, tea, pasta, oil, rice and other products when the PHCI program began in 1997. 

οΏ½These food items are a welcome gift to many Hellenic families -- so poor that they cannot afford even the basics,οΏ½ said Andrew A. Athens.  οΏ½Many of the recipients are elderly living in rural villages who have no one to care for them.  Every little bit helps,οΏ½ continued Mr. Athens.

The Food Distribution Program is coordinated through the local Hellenic Federations in each country.  They have developed a system of assessing the need for food and insuring that the food is properly distributed to those in need.  οΏ½We are very grateful to Mr. Athens for helping the poor and elderly of our community, especially during the harsh winter when it is such a difficult time,οΏ½ says Kyriako Iordanides, President of the Hellenic Federation in Georgia.  οΏ½All of us our very thankful that we are the recipients of this aid,οΏ½ says Michalis Sarandis, President of the Tashkent Hellenic Federation and Cultural Society in Uzbekistan.  οΏ½Without this food, many of our elderly may not be able to make it through the winter.οΏ½

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are two countries were the PHCI would like to begin a small medical program.  Both of the Hellenic Federations in these countries have offered space in their community centers to have an office where a doctor can provide basic medical care.  In Uzbekistan, the community has medical personnel willing to provide services to the rural villages if they had a medical mobile unit.  A donation of $25,000 can make this program a reality.

οΏ½There are thousands of vulnerable Hellenes who need our help,οΏ½ said Mr. Athens.  οΏ½We need your support to reach out to help them.  Please consider supporting the PHCI,οΏ½ continued Mr. Athens.

To pledge your support, please contact the SAE World Office at 312-337-7243.