Initiatives of Change - Vladimir Devakov

When Ukrainian teacher Vladimir Devakov was told that that his daughter, Masha, had a brain or spinal trauma and may never walk again, he was distraught. His thoughts went from suing the doctor to getting on with having a second baby but his overwhelming feeling was not to trust anyone. Five months later he left for Switzerland to spend the summer working as a Russian interpreter for the IofC summer conferences in Caux.

Vladimir was touched by the support he found at Caux. From the interpreter's booth, he listened to people on the platform talking of forgiveness. Perhaps that was the only real form of compensation for what he had suffered, he thought? He realized that in a small way he could be an agent of change. He could not do anything about corrupt doctors, but he could do something about education, by trying to be the sort of teacher that had time and consideration for his students.

Back in the Ukraine, the Devakovs arranged massage sessions and injections for Masha as well as vitamins and lots of prayers. By her first birthday she could stand holding on to something, and between 13 and 14 months she started walking.

Not satisfied with finding an answer to their own problems, the Devakovs have embarked on a range of initiatives to help others. He has translated booklets with information for parents-to-be. They put aside part of his salary every month to buy medicine, vitamins and fruit for pregnant women and their church is setting up a hostel for teenage mothers who have chosen not to have abortions.