HART’S Story: Meet the Founder – Q & A with Lloyd Cenaiko
In 1994, I transitioned from commercial real estate development to relief aid work. I couldn’t have been further out of my comfort zone!
Lloyd with orphans evacuated from war zones
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Driven by a strong conviction that there had to be a better model – one that was more practical, effective, and empowering for the local population – I embarked on an extensive journey of research and prayer. This process ultimately led me to the decision to establish my own organization, HART, which was officially incorporated in Canada in 1996 and in the USA in 1998. The goal was to create an entity that could address Ukraine’s challenges in a more efficient, collaborative, and locally-driven manner, with the aim of making a tangible and sustainable impact in Ukraine and beyond.
In essence, our prime focus at HART has been to provide the support and resources that Ukrainian Christian leaders have directly told us they need rather than imposing our own assumptions or agendas. By listening to and acting upon the wisdom and insights of those on the ground, we’ve developed a more targeted, effective, and locally-driven approach to relief aid and missions.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS: Working directly with in-country partners who deeply understand the local context allows HART to maximize the impact of every dollar donated. This makes the aid delivery process much more cost-efficient than that of Western organizations operating alone.
SUSTAINABILITY: If the local population does not fully embrace and champion an initiative, it is unlikely to succeed in the long term. Projects driven by outsiders are prone to failure once external support is withdrawn. True sustainability only occurs when the local church and community take ownership of the projects and make them their own.
EMPOWERMENT: By centering the priorities identified by Ukrainian Christian leaders, HART ensures its work is deeply rooted in the local culture and empowers Ukrainians to drive positive change in their own communities. This avoids paternalistic approaches that can frustrate local populations.
In essence, HART’s model is premised on the belief that the most practical and effective way to create lasting change is to empower and resource local leaders and communities. This approach not only makes the best use of limited funds but also taps into the wisdom, commitment, and cultural understanding of those who are most invested in the well-being of their own people. By working in true partnership with Ukrainian churches, HART can achieve far more together than any Western organization could accomplish alone.
While the ongoing difficulties facing Ukraine make that goal seem distant in the short term, it remains a long-term aspiration that we continue to work towards. By investing in the leadership development of Ukrainian pastors and ministry leaders, strengthening the capacity of local churches, and fostering self-sustaining community initiatives, we believe the day will come when HART’s role will have run its course.
Our role is to walk alongside the Ukrainian church, providing encouragement, training, and resources, but always with an eye towards the day when they will no longer need our assistance. We pray that through our partnership, the local church will grow in its ability to transform lives, strengthen families, and meet the physical and spiritual needs of their communities. When that happens, HART will have achieved its purpose, and we will celebrate the Ukrainian church’s independence and maturity.
However, what I find most rewarding about HART’s model is the opportunity it provides for North American individuals, families, small groups, and churches to make a tangible, meaningful difference in the world. By supporting HART’s initiatives, donors can directly change the destiny and life trajectory of a child, a family, or an entire community in Ukraine.
Whether it’s providing a scholarship that enables a student to attend university, equipping a church to care for orphans and widows, or empowering a family to break the cycle of poverty, every gift to HART has the power to transform lives. Donors can see the direct results of their generosity and know that their investment is being multiplied through the work of our local partners.
This ability to make a global impact through local action is what makes HART’s work so compelling. It allows North Americans to be directly involved in God’s work of redemption and restoration in Ukraine and to experience the joy of being part of something bigger than themselves. As we continue to grow, I look forward to providing more opportunities for people to make a difference in this world.
Together, we CAN change the world!
Over the course of several months, I gradually handed out the photos, with the final one remaining being particularly memorable. It depicted a young woman emerging from the baptismal waters, her face beaming with joy and exhilaration. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that I finally identified her at a Saturday night youth service. The next day, at church, I presented her with the photo.
That chance encounter led to an unexpected turn of events. Six years later, in 2002, that young woman and I were married. God has richly blessed Ulyana and I with three wonderful children who bring us immense joy daily. My family is the greatest gift I could ever have received from that fateful summer day in 1996 when a simple act of photography opened the door to a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories.