Dear sponsor,
My name is Mariia, I’m 5, but I consider myself very mature. I live with my mother, father, and little brothers in a picturesque mountain village. I have a best friend, my neighbor Olenka. She is one year older than me, but we always visit each other, and also attend a school preparation course together. I really wish we’ll sit at the same desk at school. We celebrate Christmas in a very interesting way, it lasts three days: on Christmas Eve there’s Holy Dinner, that’s when we have dinner together with our families. We do so when the first star appears in the sky. Then after dinner we sing carols – songs about God. And at Christmas we have breakfast together, then visit neighbors and sing carols. I like attending the school preparation course, there we’re being taught how to write, read and count. After it I help my mom look after my brother, and then I play with my friends in the yard. When the weather is bad, I play with my brother at home, help my mom, draw or make figures using plasticine. I like those two activities a lot. My favorite dish is pasta with meat gravy, but my mom cooks it only on some kind of holiday. Normally we eat rice or millet porridge with milk or mashed potatoes with cabbage. I also like the holidays because there’s a wider selection of foods compared to what we eat on a daily basis. I dream of becoming a teacher, but I’m still hesitating who I’d like to become.
Thank you, sponsor, for the love and help you will provide us. I’m praying for you.
-Mariia
Caseworker’s comments:
Meet Mariia, a delightful five-year-old whose gentle spirit and obedience light up her family’s world. Known for her nurturing nature, Mariia is cherished as the essence of a loving big sister, spreading kindness wherever she goes. Her days are filled with acts of service, as she eagerly assists her mother with household chores and cares for her younger siblings with boundless affection. From tidying her bed to lending a hand with dishes, Mariia’s helpfulness knows no bounds.
In her moments of playtime, Mariia finds joy in simple pleasures, relishing walks through her village, gathering mushrooms, and taking refreshing swims in the nearby lake. A flourishing artist, she delights in expressing her creativity through drawing and crafting sophisticated figures with plasticine. And in the enchanting world of books, Mariia discovers endless wonders, her favorite pastime being lost in the pages of a captivating story.
But behind Mariia’s radiant smile lies a family facing their own trials and difficulties. Her parents, Petro and Tetiana, navigate life’s challenges with unwavering determination, striving to provide for their children despite financial constraints. Petro, working tirelessly in seasonal manual labor, dreams of a better future for his family, even considering opportunities abroad. Meanwhile, Tetiana lovingly tends to her children, balancing the demands of motherhood with the uncertainties of their circumstances.
Yet, despite their resilience, the family’s resources are stretched thin, barely meeting their basic needs. Their poor and awful home, while maintained with care and tidiness, requires crucial renovations and enhancements. These include fixing windows, installing indoor plumbing for water access (currently reliant on a well), rectifying the lack of an indoor bathroom (with the current toilet situated outside), and addressing overall sanitation requirements. The longing for a better tomorrow is evident, as they dream of a brighter future for their beloved Mariia and her siblings.
In the face of adversity, the family’s faith remains steadfast, with open hearts ready to embrace the teachings of God. Their commitment to attending Sunday service reflects their deep-rooted belief in the power of prayer and community support. As they embark on this journey, they hold onto hope, trusting in God’s providence to guide them through their trials. Let us join hands in extending a helping hand to this deserving family, offering our support in their time of need. Together, we can make a difference in their lives, bringing hope, healing, and joy where it is needed most.
