Lecture by Bishop Märt Vähi and Reverend Andrew Vähi “Hope for the People- The Village of Hope in Estonia”

Thursday, May 12th at 7 pm at Tartu College, Bishop Märt Vähi and Reverand Andrew Vähi will be giving a lecture on the topic: Hope for the People- The Village of Hope in Estonia.

Lecture in cooperation with Estogeneration

In Estonian. Coffee and kringel.
Info: piret.noorhani@vemu.ca, t. 416 925 9405
vemu.ca

Press release- Toronto

There are an estimated 10,000 addicted needle users in the small country of Estonia alone- one of the highest per capita in Europe.

According to the survey done a few years ago by the Estonian Insitute of Economic Research, about 86% of the adult population (ages 16-75 year olds) consumed alcohol. Statistic show that in 12 years, Estonia, one of the smallest states in the EU, has lost 45,700 people between the ages of 15 and 49 years to alcoholism.

Police reports are also quite distressing. In recent years, up to 18% of road accidents were caused by drunk driving (in 2007 it was 22%).

In the midst of these alarming statistics there is some good news. There are those who are changing the lives of those looking for help and/or wanting to change thier lives. One such group of people established the Village of Hope, a ten month to three year residence drug-alcohol rehabilitiation and training program. Situated in the heart of a pine forest 50 km from the heart of Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn, the Village of Hope is exactly what is encompassed in its name. In the last 15 years over 500 men have gone through the program, which has offered them “hope” for changing their lives. 70% of those who have graduated have continued on in their recovery, have a job and live productive lives with their families and communities.

Addiction directly affects 7 family members, thus, its effect is devastating, especially to wives, parents and children. It is not just the addict who suffers, but it also impacts the family. The recovery process is directed towards all members of the family.

Every man is also assigned a work task as well as classroom time with an interactive teaching style. The Village of Hope includes an factory where men work every day, learning new skills and a strong work ethic.

The co-founders of the Village of Hope in Estonia and Canada, Bishop Märt Vähi and Rev. Andrew Vähi will be giving a presentation in Toronto on May 12, 2016 at 7pm at Tartu College arranged by VEMU in cooperation with Estogeneration.

A pioneer in spiritual leadership, Märt Vähi has dedicated the rest of his life along with his son Andrew to serve a nation by addressing this acute challenge. In a ceremony on the eve of Estonia’s Independence on February 23, 2014, the Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, presented Bishop Märt Vähi with the Order of the Red Cross of the III Category for the services rendered to the Estonian people. Märt was also the recipient of several awards, such as the Pride of Estonia award by Eri Klas, the Service Award by the province of Harjumaa Governess Ülle Rajasalu, as well as numerous other recognitions from the Police, Prison Authority, Estonian Council of Churches and various other local and government agencies. The Village of Hope has a close relationship and does collaborative work with the Ministry of Justice in Estonia, especially with their prison release program, which is partially funded by the government. Otherwise, the work of the Village of Hope is dependent on funding and gifts from the public sector for continued work and program expansions.

Märt, born in Sweden to Estonia parents, with roots in Hiiumaa and Laitse, grew up and worked as a pastor in Canada. He has also served as Chaplin of the New Brunswick Legislature and lived in Europe smuggling Bible Behind the Iron Curtain during the Soviet era. All of this before founding the Village of Hope on his grandfathers’ lands in Estonia. He also worked with collegues Harry Leesment and Dr. Allan Laur to found the Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church in Estonia. The story of this father and son team is an incredible tale of trials, courage and sometimes working against impossible odds. In addition to continuing leadership in Estonia, Andrew also leads the rapidly growing work of the Canadian Village of Hope in New Brunswick, Canada.

The Estonian Village of Hope has expanded today in various phases to three centers in Estonia, as well as a Women’s Center opening this September.

www.lootusekula.ee
www.villageofhopenb.ca