**DENYS REQUIRES BOTH REGULAR AND MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP**
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Denys, and I am four years old. I live in a city. My dad works as a general laborer at a hotel and restaurant complex, and my mom is unable to work because she is disabled. I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I live with my mom, and she is my best friend. She reads books to me and tells me interesting stories. At Christmas, we watch TV together. Sometimes our neighbors, who go to church, visit us and tell us that we can pray to Jesus — that He is alive and came into the world to save us.
I go to kindergarten, and my father walks me there every morning. I spend the whole day there. I also take dance lessons and visit a speech therapist who helps me learn to talk better. The only thing I don’t like is nap time! But I really enjoy the tasty food they give us. At home, I eat everything my mom cooks: buckwheat, pasta, rice, and sometimes sausages — those are my favorite! On holidays, my mom makes mashed potatoes and meat.
In my free time, I like coloring books and watching cartoons. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor so I can help my mom feel better.
I am very happy that someone wants to get to know me and help my mom and me. Thank you so much for your kindness.
I look forward to hearing from you.
With love, Denys Savko and his mother
(This letter was written by his caseworker because both Denys and his mother are unable to write it themselves.)
Caseworker’s comments:
Meet Denys, a bright and energetic four‑year‑old boy who has been growing up in circumstances far more difficult than any child should ever face. Denys is active, creative, and full of life. He loves drawing, dancing at kindergarten, and playing with his toys. At home, he helps his mother by tidying his things and bringing her small items when she asks. He is a sensitive child who feels deeply, and because of the hardships he has lived through, he sometimes becomes emotional or unsettled. He is cautious around strangers and needs a calm, stable environment to feel safe.
Medical examinations revealed that Denys has neurological disorders and requires Level 3 support. He speaks very little and receives regular help from a speech therapist and special education teacher at kindergarten. He is also monitored by a neurologist and takes prescribed medication twice a year. Thanks to inclusive education, he receives the extra attention he needs — but his progress depends heavily on the stability of his home life.
He lives with his mother, Nadiia, in a small, aging house with very limited living conditions. There is no sewage system or bathroom, the toilet is outside, and the kitchen is squeezed into a narrow corridor. Water was only recently connected, but used water must still be carried outside in buckets. There is no washing machine, so neighbors take turns helping with laundry. Even with these challenges, Nadiia keeps the home clean, warm, and as comfortable as possible for her little boy.
Much of Denys’s emotional struggle comes from the difficult experiences he witnessed early in life. For years, the family lived in an environment filled with conflict and domestic violence from his father. Although his parents are now divorced, the fear and tension of those years left a deep mark on him. He needs peace, safety, and consistent support to heal and grow.
Nadiia, his mother, has endured a lifetime of hardship. She grew up without a father and lost her mother and sister in a tragic incident when she was just sixteen. With no relatives to support her, she was left completely alone. Social services eventually provided her with a small portion of a house — the same modest home she and Denys live in today.
Her health has deteriorated significantly. She suffers from encephalopathy, has a second‑degree disability, and can only move with crutches. Her mobility is extremely limited, and even simple daily tasks are difficult. Despite this, she does everything she can for her son. She has no addictions, manages her small income carefully, and tries to create a loving home for Denys.
For a long time, Nadiia stayed with her abusive husband because she wanted her son to have a father. Eventually, with the help of social services, she found the courage to leave. The father now lives separately, pays a small amount of child support, and takes Denys to kindergarten since Nadiia cannot walk long distances. However, he continues to exert psychological pressure on her, taking advantage of her vulnerability.
One of the few sources of support in Nadiia’s life is a Christian family living nearby — the Kukryshev family, who are also part of the sponsorship program. They visit her regularly, help with laundry and household tasks, and communicate her needs to the church. Nadiia stays connected to the church through social media and is open to communication, though she has almost no close people in her life.
When our team first met Denys three years ago, he was overwhelmed, anxious, and often in tears. Over time, with patience, prayer, and the small support he has received, he has begun to open up. But the family’s situation remains extremely fragile. Their home is unsafe, their income is minimal, and both mother and child have significant health needs.
This family cannot overcome their challenges alone. They need stability, medical care, proper nutrition, and a safe environment where Denys can grow and develop. Sponsorship through the HART Mission Child Sponsorship Program would be life‑changing. It would provide Denys with the support he needs to continue his treatment, receive proper care, and experience the stability every child deserves. It would also lift a tremendous burden from his mother, giving her hope and reminding her that she is not alone.
Most importantly, sponsorship would show this family that God sees them, loves them, and sends His people to stand beside the brokenhearted. Your support could bring healing, dignity, and a future to a little boy who has already endured more than most adults. Sponsoring Denys means giving him the chance to grow into the joyful, healthy child God created him to be.
