Dear sponsor,
My name is Daryna, and I am six years old. I live in a village with my mom and my brother, Tomash. My dad passed away, so my mom stays home to take care of us.
Tomash has a disability, but he is very kind. He likes music and talking with me, and I love him very much.
My best friend is Tania. We play hide‑and‑seek, draw pictures, and share sweets at school. I am in first grade, and my mom walks me because I’m still little. My favorite subjects are English, math, and Ukrainian. I love English songs and dream of traveling.
At home, I help my mom, draw, and read fairy tales. I like mashed potatoes, soup, cookies, and special foods at Christmas and Easter. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
Thank you so much for helping my family and me. It means a lot. I would love to write to you and learn more about your life too.
With love,
Daryna
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Daryna, a bright and lively six‑year‑old girl whose kindness, friendliness, and gentle spirit leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Her warm smile lights up any room, and her creativity shines through in her love for drawing, singing, modeling with clay, and performing little shows for her family.
Daryna is doing well in school and has already learned to read and write. She has her own little study corner with a small desk where she proudly practices her lessons. She sleeps beside her mother for comfort, though she has her own sofa bed. At home, she helps with washing dishes, sweeping the floor, and tidying up. She is healthy, active, and full of potential. She dreams of becoming a primary school teacher one day so she can help other children the way her teachers help her.
Daryna lives in a village with her mother and her older brother, Tomash. Their family has endured deep hardship. On December 3, 2024, Daryna’s father passed away suddenly from a heart attack, leaving the family devastated. Although she is young, Daryna feels this loss deeply and misses her father every day.
Tomash, who has an intellectual disability, shares a close and loving bond with his little sister. He enjoys music and talking with her, and she patiently answers all his questions. Their mother cares for both children on her own and is unable to work full‑time because Tomash requires constant supervision. She takes occasional caregiving jobs, when possible, but she must bring Tomash with her, which adds extra challenges and expenses.
The family survives on Tomash’s disability pension and a small survivor’s benefit—together totaling only about $191 CAD per month. Despite her best efforts, their mother struggles to provide even the most basic necessities.
They live in a deplorable three‑room house. During the winter, they can only afford to heat one room, so the family stays together in that single space. Another room is used for storage. They grow wheat and vegetables on a small plot of land and keep a few chickens and geese, which helps them get by, but it is far from enough.
The family attends their local Orthodox church and holds firmly to their faith. They have no harmful habits—only a deep desire to care for one another and to keep going despite the hardships they face.
Right now, Daryna and her family are living in significant financial difficulty. They must save on everything, and the children often go without essentials. Their mother is doing everything she can, but the weight she carries is heavy.
This is where the compassion of a sponsor can make a life‑changing difference. Your support would help ensure that Daryna has nutritious food and the stability every child deserves. It would help give their mother the relief and encouragement she has been praying for.
HART’s Child Sponsorship Program exists to stand with families like this—families who have endured loss, poverty, and hardship, yet continue to hold onto faith and hope. Sponsorship would be a tremendous blessing to them, offering practical help, emotional support, and the love of Christ in action.
Daryna is a tenderhearted little girl with so much potential. With support, she can continue to grow, learn, and dream, and her family can find strength in a season of overwhelming struggle. Your sponsorship could be the answered prayer this family has been waiting for.
