Dear sponsor,
My name is Mykola, and I am 13 years old. I live in a beautiful village between the mountains. It’s marvelous. I live together with my mom Svitlana, dad Ivan, sister Mariia and four brothers: Mariian, Oleh, Andriy and Misha. I’m in grade 9, I go to school on foot, but it’s located two kilometers from where I live. My best friends are my brothers and my sister. In my spare time I enjoy riding horses. We have goats, so there’s a lot to do at home. We help our parents with everything. When it’s Christmas, we sing carols, and we like this holiday. During the summer holidays I help my parents with all the household chores, or I help my dad when he goes to do work to earn some more money. My favorite subject is carpentry, as I’m fond of making different figures. My most beloved dish is pizza, but I have eaten it once in my life, and it was when I was younger. We don’t have much food in our household. I’d like to become a carpenter in the future. Thank you for helping my family.
Sending God’s blessings to you,
-Mykola
Caseworker’s comments:
Mykola is a serene and gentle adolescent who cherishes solitude and tranquility. At thirteen, he shows happiness strolling through his neighborhood, supporting his parents in caring for his younger siblings, and dutifully maintaining household cleanliness. His heart finds solace in riding horses and energetic football matches alongside his elder brothers. The church has profoundly impacted Mykola, fostering a sense of community and fostering enduring friendships. He eagerly participates in Sunday School, while transformative experiences at Summer Camps have enriched his spiritual journey. His passion for carpentry ignites dreams of crafting furniture to help others or establishing his own store.
Despite his affectionate nature and high aspirations, Mykola’s family faces persistent financial poverty. Regardless of their size, familial bonds fill their home with warmth and support, with parents Ivan and Svitlana striving to provide for each child. Ivan, currently unemployed due to scarce job opportunities in the village, tirelessly seeks employment to sustain his family, resorting to sporadic odd jobs for income. Svitlana, occupied with maternal duties, tends to their six children at home. Their sole financial assistance comes from the government, a meager of 2100UAH (approximately $70.00 CAD) per month, leaving the family financially and domestically hurting. While the church offers occasional assistance, additional support with sustenance would greatly alleviate their plight.
Their living conditions are horrific and awful, with their crumbling, cramped house barely habitable. The dilapidated structure lacks basic amenities, with a single room serving as living quarters amidst deteriorating infrastructure—non-functioning stove, decaying floors, crumbling walls, shattered windows, and an outdoor bathroom in disrepair. Essential utilities are absent, exacerbating their troubles.
Your sponsorship of Mykola and support for his family would be transformative, offering them a lifeline amid adversity. Every contribution offers the promise of a better future, ensuring that no child endures such abhorrent living conditions.
