Dear Sponsor,
My name is Sofiia, and I am 10 years old. I live in a small town. There are seven children in my family. My dad has passed away, and my mom is unable to work because she needs to take care of all of us. My grandpa helps raise us, even though he is retired. I am in the sixth grade.
I try to help my mom as much as I can by washing the dishes and walking our dog. I love my mom very much.
My best friend is Andrii. He always supports me. We like to walk together, go sledding, and have snowball fights. One of my favorite things is when my mom cooks fried potatoes.
Dear sponsor, my family and I would be very grateful for your help.
With love,
Sofiia
Caseworker Comments:
Sofiia is a kind, gentle, and emotionally sensitive 10‑year‑old girl in the 6th grade. She approaches her studies with responsibility and enthusiasm, and she especially enjoys physical education, where she happily joins in active games with her classmates. In her free time, she loves drawing, which has become a meaningful way for her to express her feelings and find comfort during difficult moments.
At home, Sofiia is a devoted helper. She washes dishes, cleans, assists her mother in the kitchen, and lovingly cares for her younger brothers and sisters. Despite her young age, she carries a maturity shaped by the challenges her family faces every day.
Sofiia’s family is living through extremely difficult circumstances and urgently needs support. Her mother is a widow who has endured the heartbreaking loss of two husbands. She is now solely responsible for raising seven children. Although two of the children are adults, only one has stable employment, leaving the financial burden almost entirely on the mother’s shoulders. Five of the children are still in school, and because of the family’s severe housing limitations, three of them must stay at their educational institution during the week and can only return home on weekends and holidays. This separation affects their emotional well‑being and makes it even harder for the family to stay connected.
The situation is further complicated by the mother’s serious health issues. She has a tumor, fibroids, and a lifelong kidney condition. Because of her ongoing medical problems and the need for treatment, she is unable to work. The family survives solely on minimal social assistance, which is far from enough to cover even their most basic needs, especially with medical expenses added to the strain.
The family does not have a home of their own. They are forced to rent a single small room in a dormitory, sharing the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet with neighbours. The room is extremely cramped—only two beds fit inside, so most of the children sleep on fold‑out chairs. The furniture is old and worn, and the overall condition of the room is outdated and in need of repair. Sofiia’s grandfather also lives with them, but his pension is very small and barely covers his own needs, leaving him unable to provide meaningful financial support.
Because of these hardships, the family constantly struggles to afford food, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and school supplies. The children lack many of the essentials needed for healthy development, stability, and a sense of normal childhood.
Despite everything she faces, Sofiia remains sincere, open-hearted, and deeply devoted to her family. She dreams of a better future—not only for herself, but for her mother and siblings. Her gentle spirit and resilience shine through even in the hardest moments.
Sponsoring Sofiia through the HART Child Sponsorship Program would make a profound difference in her life. Your support would help provide essential food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene items, and other basic necessities. Just as importantly, it would offer emotional encouragement—a reminder that someone cares, that they are not alone, and that hope still exists. For Sofiia and her family, this support would be more than material assistance. It would be a lifeline, a sign of compassion, and a powerful message that their lives matter.
