Dear Sponsor,
My name is Nelli. I am 9 years old, and I live in a city. Right now, my mom does not have a job. I am in Grade 3 and walk to school every day. I spend about eight hours there. My favorite subject is math, and the one I find hardest is English. I also enjoy physical education and Ukrainian language. My best friend’s name is Daryna. I love spending time with her, and we often play a game called “Traffic Light.”
My favorite food is dumplings, but at home I usually eat soup. On special occasions, I am very happy when I receive a chocolate bar as a gift. In my free time, I love playing with the girls from my neighborhood. I usually celebrate holidays with my family, and in the summer, I enjoy going to the river. When I grow up, I would like to become a makeup artist.
Dear Sponsor, thank you very much for your kindness and for wanting to help me.
With love,
Nelli
Caseworker Comments:
Nelli is a calm, polite, and well‑mannered 9‑year‑old girl. She does well in school, loves math and reading, and enjoys drawing and playing with her friends. At home, she helps her mother with household chores, showing a maturity beyond her years. Despite the hardships she faces, Nelli remains gentle and kind, with a quiet strength that shines through her tender personality.
The family is enduring extremely difficult life circumstances and is in urgent need of support. Nelli’s mother, Viktoriia, is raising her daughter alone. She is currently unemployed, as finding work in their small town has proven nearly impossible. Viktoriia rarely leaves the house due to deep emotional insecurity; she carries a visible scar on her face from a fire. Out of shame, she always covers it with a scarf. Her emotional state is fragile: she grew up in an orphanage, her parents struggled with alcoholism, and both have passed away, leaving her with no family support.
The family rents a single room in an old, neglected house that is in extremely deplorable condition. The walls are damp and unpainted, cobwebs hang everywhere, and the air is heavy with a musty smell. The toilet is outside, which creates additional difficulties, especially during the freezing winters. Nelli’s aunt, who struggles with alcohol abuse, rents the second room in the same house. This creates a tense and unhealthy atmosphere for Nelli. At times, the aunt disappears for days, leaving her own children behind, and Nelli’s mother must care for them, feeding them and ensuring they attend school — all while struggling to provide for Nelli.
The house itself is unsafe and unpleasant. It was previously occupied by relatives who battled addiction and neglected its upkeep. Everything inside is old and broken, and the rooms feel frightening and unwelcoming. While the house does have running water, which allows them to wash and do dishes, the lack of basic facilities such as an indoor toilet or bathroom makes daily life extremely challenging. Heating is provided only by a wood stove, which requires constant effort to maintain.
Through all of this, Nelli continues to study hard, dream of her future, and help her mother. She loves math, reading, and drawing, and she dreams of becoming a makeup artist one day. But without support, her opportunities are limited, and her mother’s emotional and financial struggles weigh heavily on her childhood. This family urgently needs the support of HART’s Child Sponsorship Program. Sponsorship would provide Nelli with stability, warmth, and hope for a brighter future. It would ease the heavy burden carried by her mother, ensure Nelli has access to food, clothing, and school supplies, and give her the chance to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Nelli is a child full of potential, kindness, and resilience. With your help, she can continue to thrive, dream, and build a better life beyond the hardships she faces today.
