This year EERO has actively supported diverse organizations and events in Estonia thanks to generous donations from supporters across Canada. Donors directed donations to multiple projects including: the Ukrainian Refugee Fund, EERO Children’s Fund, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO), Pärnu Music Festival, Odessa Classics in Tallinn, a Ukrainian Refugee Benefit Concert in Tallinn, EERO TalTech Scholarship Fund, Cancer Treatment Fund and Patarei.

Ukrainian Refugees
The War in Ukraine continues to impact the global economy in terms of military and humanitarian assistance from NATO states and the refugee crisis in the European Union. According to the OECD Secretariat by mid-September, Estonia and the Czech Republic each have more than 40 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants. In Estonia today, that number is closer to 60 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants. By comparison, Canada has less than 5 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants.

The EERO Ukrainian Refugee Fund helps children with a one-time “koolitoetus” i.e., school support that is administered by the Estonian Refugee Council, which has helped over 3,330 children. In addition, it helps fund trauma therapy. Summer camps for children identified “at risk” by school psychologists were supported with 36,400 euros. This included four overnight camps and a day camp in Tallinn and benefited more than 115 children.

According to WHO (World Health Organization) studies, mental health disorders are more common among refugees than the general population. The most common diagnoses are PTSD, depression, general anxiety, panic attacks, adjustment and sleep disorders. Among refugees, PTSD cases range from 10-40% and severe depression 5-15%. The frequency is higher for children and youth: 50-90% PTSD and 6-40% severe depression. Refugees seek help less often than native citizens, making these “hidden problems”. Therefore, this is an important program and EERO continues to support the Estonian Refugee Council in providing extracurricular group activities for school children and trauma therapy to those that have exhausted help provided through “haigekassa”, which is the national health fund. We hope to be able support the Ukrainian refugees yet again this year, because the ongoing war effects us all, either directly or indirectly.

The cost of the additional trauma therapy is estimated at about $50,000 and to date, EERO has raised about $18,500 and hence continues to hope for further donations.

Other Projects and Background Activities

• EERO TalTech scholarship was given to Ott Kärner on December 8th by the head of the Engineering Department.
• ERSO finally received a cello that was bought at auction in London for about 13,000€ ($18,700CAD).They plan to purchase other stringed instruments with the EERO donation funded by the Wesik Family Foundation.
• The Pärnu Music Festival donation was also funded by the Wesik Family Foundation and festival organizers were thankful for this donation, as it enabled the festival to break even.
• Funds from the EERO Children’s fund were disbursed to Women’s shelters in Pärnu, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Haapsalu, Järvamaa, and Rakvere.
• In comparison with the 1990s when most projects were covered by 3 legal agreements, this year EERO had 8 contracts. EERO dispenses funds when a contract is in place and requires compliance with all conditions to remain eligible for further funding. In addition, EERO is reviewing their bylaws to ensure compliance with Canadian legislation and incorporate technology changes. For example, correspondence is sent by email.
• As the War in Ukraine erupted and the number of projects increased, the need to communicate with project partners, existing and potential donors, the Estonian communities in Canada, similar charities in the US, as well as Canadian Ukrainian charities, more frequent ads and regular updates to the EERO Canada webpage has led to the development of a Communications Team. This amazing team has worked continuously at improving the visibility of EERO Canada on the internet, ensuring both Estonian and non-Estonian speaking Canadians are aware of EERO projects in Estonia, and planning for further improvements in 2023. Many thanks go to Ruth Patterson, Maimu Mölder, Tiiu Palumäe, Christina Luik and Ene Timmusk.

Our projects and activities are funded through donations and EERO Canada is staffed with volunteers, who donate their skills, knowledge and time. We keep our administrative costs to a minimum, but advertising, website maintenance, upgrading software, mailing tax receipts or government reports are unavoidable. We have issued tax receipts by email whenever possible, and strive to become as paperless as possible. Although we have conducted our Board meetings virtually for the past few years, we hope to have face-to-face meetings in 2023 to celebrate our successes and plan for the future.

If you have a background that includes advertising, bookkeeping, legal contracts, social or digital media, or need to build your resume for future career prospects, and would like to help EERO or work on one of our projects, please contact:eeroesimees@gmail.com.

EERO provides an opportunity to build ties with Estonia, as well as contribute to building a better future. With your help we have the power to help those that need support.

Mari Ann Tammark

Eestlased Kanadas

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