Dear Sponsor,
My name is Anastasiia, and I am the mother of Uliana, who is 2 years old. I am currently on maternity leave and not employed, though I take occasional work whenever possible to help support my children.
Uliana was born weak, and although she has recently begun walking, she has not started speaking yet. I spend as much time as I can working with her, teaching her and helping her develop. She enjoys eating fruit purée, noodles, fruit, meat, and milk. Although she still understands very little and has not begun talking, we continue to support her growth every day.
I kindly ask you to consider sponsoring my daughter, Uliana.
Sincerely,
Anastasiia
Mother of Uliana
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Uliana, the youngest child in her family, where she is surrounded by three sisters and one brother who cares for her deeply. She is gentle, calm, and forms strong emotional bonds with those she loves, especially her mother and her older sister Diana, to whom she is deeply attached. Uliana loves being held and often cries when left alone, seeking comfort and closeness. She enjoys drawing, exploring colors, and playing with all of her siblings, who include her in their activities with warmth and affection. Although she attends daycare, she struggles to stay there and finds it difficult to be away from her family. Due to the family’s challenging living conditions, Uliana requires additional attention, stability, and consistent care to support her emotional and developmental needs, as she thrives most when surrounded by patience, security, and familiar faces.
Uliana’s mother grew up in a boarding school, where she never experienced a stable home environment or positive examples of parental care. As an adult, she struggles to provide the guidance and structure she never received. She is currently raising five children on her own, having lived separately from her husband for an extended period. Without support, resources, or a reliable income, she is overwhelmed, and the children are living in conditions that place their well‑being at risk.
The family does not have a home of their own. For many years, they relied on temporary arrangements and the generosity of acquaintances. Approximately one year ago, they were permitted to move into an old house on the condition that they maintain the property. The house is in extremely deplorable condition. It is small, cold, and unsuitable for a large family with young children. There are only two small rooms, one of which is a walk‑through, along with a narrow hallway and a small kitchen. The restroom is located outside, and there is no bathroom. The children are bathed in a basin, and water must be heated in a kettle. During the colder months, it is especially difficult to keep the house warm, and the family struggles to maintain even minimal comfort.
Although the property includes a large yard, most of it is overgrown and filled with accumulated debris. On a small section of the land, the family planted potatoes, tomatoes, and onions in an effort to secure at least a minimal supply of food. The mother has no stable employment and no steady income. She occasionally earns small amounts by working in other people’s gardens, and the family survives primarily on limited state assistance for two of the children, which is far from sufficient to meet their basic needs.
The mother’s lack of parenting experience and emotional support often results in inconsistent supervision. There are times when she leaves the home, leaving the children alone. The older daughters frequently assume responsibility for the younger siblings, which forces them to miss school and contributes to ongoing conflict within the household. Disagreements arise regularly over household chores and childcare responsibilities. The children are often seen unwashed, uncombed, barefoot, or hungry—not due to a lack of love, but due to the mother’s exhaustion, limited skills, and overwhelming circumstances. The older sisters take turns attending church, as someone must always remain at home to care for the younger children. The family desires connection and support, but their circumstances make it difficult to participate fully in community life.
This family requires comprehensive assistance. They need food, clothing, hygiene products, and help improving their living conditions. They also need guidance in organizing their household and ongoing support to ensure that the children have safe, stable conditions for healthy development. Sponsorship for Uliana and her siblings would provide them with essential resources, emotional stability, and the opportunity to break free from the cycle of hardship that has defined their lives.
