Effects of the nuclear disaster are still present, affecting both the people and the local food production. Everyone, Oblates included, eat contaminated food. The Oblates are involved here in parish work, giving retreats and parish missions. They work primarily with Catholics but seek contact with the orthodox. The economic system is very bad, unemployment is rampant.
Some people work all year without pay.
When asked why, they explained that they receive medical care if they work, and some work purely for that benefit. There are signs of hope and growth. The Oblates here are involved in social work and provide clothes and medicine for the poor. Many churches were destroyed and have to be rebuilt. There are presently six Ukrainian Oblates studying for the priesthood and three candidates will enter the Novitiate in September.