In the summer of 1994, Jan and Margreet van Beest-Bons first set foot on Ukrainian soil, visiting the city of Zhytomyr. Much has changed since then. At first, Ukraine was a foreign country to them, but with each new trip they became more and more familiar with its people and culture. They made many friends and established strong ties with members of various churches in Zhytomyr and its surroundings, in particular with the community of the “Rizdva” church.
They had long dreamed of doing something meaningful for their neighbors abroad. During a visit to Ukraine, Jan and Margreet realized that there were many places where help was needed. On one of their trips, they visited a children's hospital, where they had the opportunity to talk to the director, Dr. Volodymyr Josypovych Bašek. His question to Jan was short but meaningful: “Could you work for us?” These words did not leave them indifferent, and they began to pray, asking God to show them the right path.

Feeling God's calling and sincerely loving Ukraine and its people, they realized that their path lay precisely here. In cooperation with the Aid Department of the Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Diaconaat CGK), Jan and Margreet moved to Ukraine on May 5, 2000.
Jan worked in various hospitals and clinics in Zhytomyr, and Margreet worked in a psychiatric hospital, in particular in the department for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. It was there that they saw an urgent need to create a 24-hour center that would provide professional assistance to people with addictions. Thus, on April 20, 2001, the ZCPO «Yakir» was officially registered.
After many years of preparation and fundraising, a new rehabilitation center was built in the village of Wolytsia, welcoming its first residents on May 28, 2007. Together with a team of staff, Jan and Margreet worked to create a Christian center where people with addictions could receive professional help and learn about God.
During all these years, Jan and Margreet received support from the Netherlands. On behalf of the Diaconaat CGK, pastors Gé Drayer, Laurens den Butter and Erjan van der Linde played a significant role. The Beth-El church in Sliedrecht also made a huge contribution.
In order to effectively conduct the activities, transparently manage financial resources and report to the sponsors, a foundation was established - "Vrienden van Zjitomir". A great contribution to its activities was made by Jolanda Bot, Ronald Kornet, Erik and Marga Lommers, Jolanda Oosterom, Jan Soet, Coenraad and Rianne Stouten and André Visser, Marco Oosterwijk and many other committee members and caring people.
In 2016, the center was handed over to local teams, and one of the organization’s main partners and sponsors was the organization “Kom over en help”, which extended a helping hand in a difficult moment and continues to help the organization “Yakir” conduct its activities. Karst de Vries, Maris Goudzwaard and Gerben Heldoorn played a significant role in the cooperation between our organizations.
Feeling an unwavering commitment to this cause, Jan and Margret continue to help Ukraine, the Yakir NGO, and their friends, taking every opportunity.