Dear Sponsor,
My name is Alevtyna, and I am 8 years old. My mom is in heaven now. I have a big family with seven brothers and sisters, and we all live together.
My best friend is Dariia. She is in my class, and she helps me with my homework. I love playing tag with my friends. At Christmas, I go carolling, and in the summer, I help my grandma with little chores.
I am in second grade, and I take the bus to school. I stay there for about seven hours every day. I like school a lot, and my favourite subject is math.
I like eating vegetables and fruit. My favourites are cabbage, onions, and cucumbers. On holidays, I get to eat sweets, which makes me very happy. When I have free time, I love to dance.
When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can help people.
Thank you so much for helping me and my family. It means a lot to us. Thank you for everything!
With love,
Alevtyna
Caseworker Comments:
Alevtyna is an energetic, open‑hearted, and cheerful little girl. She does well in school, especially in mathematics, and she has a natural creative spark with a deep love for dancing. Even though her life has been marked by loss and hardship, she continues to show a bright spirit, a desire to learn, and a determination to grow. What she needs most now is emotional support, stability, and the chance to experience a full, healthy childhood — something her family simply cannot provide on their own.
Alevtyna has been deprived of proper parental care for most of her life. Her father remarried a woman who already had seven children, and together they had Alevtyna. Not long after, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Her father has not taken responsibility for raising her; he lives separately and shows no interest in her life. The grandmother — her father’s mother — stepped in and took on the care of all eight children, even though only one is her biological grandchild. The biological father of the other seven children lives in Russia, has been legally deprived of parental rights, and is completely absent.
Despite her age and limited strength, the grandmother has devoted herself wholeheartedly to these children. She provides love, guidance, and stability to the best of her ability, but she is raising eight minors entirely on her own. Their only income is her small pension, which is nowhere near enough to cover even the basic needs of so many children. The emotional and financial burden she carries is immense.
The family lives in a modest home that the grandparents purchased after selling their apartment. The grandfather was a diligent caretaker who kept the house in excellent condition, but after his passing three years ago, the grandmother has struggled to maintain it while caring for the children full‑time. Even so, the home remains clean, orderly, and equipped with basic necessities such as running water and an indoor toilet. It is a safe place — but one that requires ongoing care and support to remain stable.
What stands out most about this family is their openness, humility, and sincere desire to grow spiritually. During our first visit, I was deeply moved by how receptive they were to the Gospel and how eager they were to learn about God. They are not only in need of material support — they are longing for emotional and spiritual encouragement as well.
Considering the loss of Alevtyna’s mother, the complete absence of parental involvement, the large number of children under the care of one elderly guardian, and the family’s extremely limited financial resources, this household is among the most vulnerable. Their need for assistance is urgent and profound.
Alevtyna is a bright, resilient little girl with so much potential. With the support of a sponsor, she can have the chance to thrive — not just survive — and grow into the young woman she dreams of becoming.
