Charity concerts of a Finnish singer Nina Åström were held at the invitation of the Christian Prison Mission.

Recently, as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of foundation of the Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charity care in prisons", has been held an extraordinary event. At the invitation of the Mission, Nina Åström, a Finnish participant of the International contest "Eurovision 2000", has made a charity tour to Ukraine for prisoners and prison staff .

-  October 22, 2011 - concert in the Makeevka penal institution (№ 32) - Donetsk region;

-  October 23, 2011 - concert in the Uman penal institution (№ 129) - Cherkassy region;

-  October 24, 2011 - the Prylutska educational colony for juvenile offenders (Chernihiv region);

- October 24, 2011 - performance before personnel of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine.

Nina Åström took for this trip a minimum of necessary things. Equipment and travel has been provided by local churches. Nina talked between songs with prisoners, helping them to reveal the contents of each of her songs. Listeners responded exceptionally well to her performance: truly listened to and treated the way she communicated with them, albeit she talked through an interpreter. Every Hall during concerts was able to bear more than a half of thousand people.

Nina started this ministry 20 years ago. "I am very happy - said the singer and the author of songs - that there is such a ministry, and I am here, because I can do a little impact on the audience, it could help and change something. Because me, preaching Christ, encourage to open heart to God, and when even someone of prisoners would answer, it will change his life and deeds." When Nina has been asked why she goes to prisons, the singer replied that, as she sow, there are ordinary people in these places, who need the Lord and His care. And she realized that she could be a part of the great work  to help people get on the right path.

She visited correctional institutions in Ukraine for the first time. Initiative to invite Nina belonged to a chairman of the Mission, Fr. Victor Yatsenko. "Ukraine - an unusual state! - Said the singer in a break between songs - I'm third time in Ukraine, but the first two trips were very long time ago. Then I visited the Western Ukraine. This time I was in Donetsk, Chernihiv and Cherkasy regions. But for me it is a new experience. Being in all those regions of Ukraine, I had the feeling that your country is very similar to Finland. Here there are a freedom and an openness of people, I see. In something we Finns and you Ukrainians are very similar. It is a country of contrasts... Hearts of people are opened to the message that we carry, and it seems that people want to listen and to accept. This is great for us. I was very good received. There is Christian ministry here, and there are many Christians. And it has a great influence on the atmosphere in the same facility. There are people who have changed, it was for me easy to work with them."

On October 24, 2011 Nina Åström performed a concert to the workers of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine. The singer performed songs in English, Russian and Finnish languages. Nina Åström told through an interpreter about each of her songs. But when liseners heard the first chords and poured a magic melody - all the language of music became very clear. Hall responded by long applause.

Photos - from the Website of Nina Åström and from the Website of SPSU