Dear Sponsor,
My name is Danyil. I am three years old. I live in a village with my big family. I have four brothers and one sister. We play together a lot, and it makes me happy.
I go to kindergarten. I have many friends there. My best friend is Vladyslav. We swing together and play tag. At home, I like to play with our dog. It is very funny and cheerful. I also help my mom. I can wipe the dust, take dishes from the table, and give grain to the chickens. I like to help, even though I am small.
My dad works at Pan Kovbaska. My mom is at home now because she is on maternity leave. We all go to the Orthodox church in our village and pray together at home. At Christmas, I like to go caroling and say happy holiday to people. On holidays, my mom bakes a yummy pie and makes kholodets. My favorite food is semolina porridge and pancakes. I also like borsch and potatoes.
When I have free time, I ride my balance bike or scooter. Thank you, dear Sponsor, for choosing me and wanting to help me. I want to know about you. Do you have animals? Do you have children? What are their names? What do they like to do? Please tell me in a letter.
I am still small, so my mom helped me write this. She is very kind and loves us all.
Goodbye! I wait for your letter.
Your new friend,
Danyil
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Danyil, a bright and joyful three-year-old boy whose heart is full of love and laughter, and whose energy brings light to everyone around him. Though he is still learning to listen and focus, his playful spirit and eagerness to explore the world make him a delight to his family and friends. Danyil attends kindergarten, where he enjoys time with his classmates, and he is especially proud to have recently become a big brother, a role that fills him with happiness and responsibility. At home, he helps his mother with small chores like putting toys away, even at such a young age he wants to contribute and care for those around him. His favorite moments are spent playing with his siblings, racing toy cars, or riding his scooter, and his cheerful personality shines through in everything he does. Danyil is a healthy, active child with endless potential, but like many children in difficult circumstances, he needs the stability, encouragement, and opportunities that sponsorship can provide.
The family is facing very difficult life and material circumstances, yet they continue to persevere with courage and love. The parents are raising six children, including little Danyil, while the mother is on maternity leave and the father works unofficially in a low-paying job that cannot provide stable or sufficient income for such a large family. Because the parents are not married, all of the children are registered under their mother’s surname. Despite these challenges, the parents do their best to care for their children and maintain order in the home, showing resilience in the face of hardship.
The family does not have a home of their own. They are temporarily living in a relative’s house, which is in deplorable condition and requires major renovations. The house has four rooms, three of which are small, and the walls are peeling, the floors are old and damaged, and the windows and doors are worn out, letting in the cold. Heating is only by firewood, and while gas and electricity are connected, there is no running water — the family must rely on a well in the yard. There is no bathroom, and the toilet is outside. Cooking is done on a small electric stove in the hallway. Household appliances are minimal, and there is no washing machine, which is especially difficult for a family with small children, so clothes are washed by hand in a basin. Furniture is scarce and in poor condition, consisting of old beds, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, and a bedside table. Yet, despite these modest conditions, each child has their own bed, and the parents try to keep the house as clean and orderly as possible within their means.
Life in such circumstances is far from easy, but they [family] continue to hold on to hope. Their children, full of energy and potential, deserve the chance to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Danyil, like his siblings, is a healthy and bright child with so much to offer, but without support, the family struggles to provide even the basics. This is why participation in HART’s Child Sponsorship Program is so vital. Sponsorship would mean food, dignity and comfort in their daily lives, and the opportunity for each child to develop their talents and dreams.
The family’s story is a reminder of how fragile life can be when resources are scarce, but also of how strong love and faith can be in sustaining hope. With the help of a sponsor, this family can begin to rebuild their lives, improve their living conditions, and give their children the stability they need to thrive. We ask for God’s protection and blessing over the family and believe that through the generosity of sponsorship, they will find encouragement, strength, and the opportunity to create a brighter future. Supporting them means not only meeting urgent needs but also planting seeds of hope that will grow for generations to come.
