Hello, Dear Sponsor!
My name is Iryna. I am 8 years old and in the 4th grade. My school is in the next village, and every morning I ride the bus to get there.
My favorite subject is math because I like counting and solving problems. After school, I love to ride my bicycle. It makes me feel happy and free!
I live in a big family. I have three brothers and one sister. We play together at home and outside. I also have many friends in my class — Sofiia, Marharyta, and Ivanka. We like to walk, play ball, play tag, and laugh a lot.
I have pets too — a cat, a dog, and even a rabbit! I love feeding them and playing with them. They are my little friends.
I am very happy to write you this letter. Thank you so much for helping me and my family. It means a lot to us. It makes me glad to know that someone far away cares about me.
With love,
Iryna
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Iryna, a bright and gentle 8‑year‑old girl whose kindness and quiet spirit shine in all she does. She loves playing games with her siblings and friends, especially riding her bicycle, which brings her joy and freedom. At home, she is her mother’s big helper, proudly washing dishes, making her bed, and sweeping the floor to care for her family. In school, she excels in math and is admired for being not only “super smart” but also humble and kind. Iryna’s life is a beautiful blend of innocence, love, and promise, and she brings joy to her family, hope to her community, and inspiration to all who know her.
Iryna’s family is living through extremely difficult circumstances and urgently needs support. Her mother is raising the children alone, without a stable income. The father lives abroad, does not participate in their upbringing, and provides no financial assistance. The family survives on a minimal social allowance of about $100 per month—an amount far too small to cover even the children’s most basic needs such as food, clothing, and education.
The burden on the mother is overwhelming. Iryna’s younger brother, Maksym, suffers from cerebral palsy and requires constant care, medical supervision, and resources that the family simply cannot afford. This responsibility, combined with the struggle to provide for the other children, leaves their mother exhausted and without hope.
The family’s home is in deplorable condition. The ceilings are cracked and damp, with stains from roof leaks. Wooden floors are broken and worn, while old windows and doors let in freezing air during the harsh winter. Heating is weak, leaving the children cold and vulnerable. The furniture is outdated and broken, bed linens are torn, and blankets are worn thin. The rooms are cramped and cluttered, with no proper storage space. The kitchen is in disrepair, with worn-out appliances and furniture that make food preparation difficult. There is no centralized water supply or sewage system, so the family washes using a basin. Mold and damp stains mark the walls and ceilings, creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
Because of poverty, the children—including Iryna—lack nutritious food for healthy growth, proper clothing for school and daily life, educational materials to support learning, and a safe and warm environment to thrive. These hardships limit their opportunities for development and rob them of the carefree childhood every child deserves.
Through HART’s Child Sponsorship Program, you can bring hope and stability to Iryna’s family. Your support would provide nutritious food and restore dignity to their home, and support Iryna’s education, giving her the chance to build a brighter future. It would also relieve the heavy burden on her mother by offering care and resources for Maksym’s disability. Most importantly, sponsorship would show Iryna and her siblings that they are not forgotten, that someone cares about them and their future.
Sponsoring Iryna is more than financial assistance—it is a gift of hope, warmth, and opportunity. With your help, this family can begin to rebuild their lives and look toward a future filled with possibility instead of despair.
