Dear sponsor,
My name is Ivan, and I am four years old. My mom doesn’t have a job, my dad passed away in 2021. I don’t have siblings. My mom is my best friend. We spend a lot of time together, reading and learning letters. I already know some letters. I always look forward to Christmas to receive presents. Christmas is a holiday full of wonders. In the summer, I go to the lake with my mom and walk a lot. I don’t go to school yet, but I go to daycare. I like vegetables, fruit, pasta, pelmeni (dumplings). On holidays, my mom cooks delicious food. In my free time, I play with my toy cars. I haven’t yet thought about what I want to be when I grow up because I am a little boy. Dear sponsor, I am obedient and want to thank you for helping Ukrainian families and children. I would like to learn more about you and look forward to your letter. My mom wrote this letter for me because I can’t write yet.
Ivan
Caseworker’s comments:
Ivan, full of curiosity, finds joy in learning short poems and sharing precious moments with his devoted mother. Endearing and sociable, he eagerly engages in conversations with adults, yet yearns for a fatherly presence in his life. Together, they relish bike rides, with his mother securing him in a saddle and exploring the world. Their bond extends to spiritual gatherings and home groups, where they seek support and community. Yearning for emotional and spiritual support, they also face financial struggles. Ivan’s needs are growing, from clothing to medical care, often stretching their resources thin and prompting them to borrow money.
Yana, Ivan’s mother, endured a challenging upbringing after losing her parents in a tragic accident. Raised by her aunt, she endured loneliness and bullying at boarding school. Despite hardships, she pursued education, becoming self-reliant in decision-making. The loss of her husband, a military veteran, further compounded their hardships. Since his passing in 2021, she does not receive any widow benefits as Ivan’s father took his own life. Yet, Yana’s love for Ivan remains unwavering, as she strives to provide the love, she never experienced herself.
Their family unit is small, with Yana’s aunt being their sole relative, living afar. Despite their struggles, Yana is determined to ensure Ivan lacks nothing. Resourceful and skilled in cooking, she imparts values of independence and resilience to Ivan.
Their humble apartment is shared with other heirs from Ivan’s father’s first marriage, lacks ownership clarity, presenting challenges for maintenance and repairs. Yana and Ivan only live in one room. Mold infestation and heating issues plague their living space, yet Yana endeavors to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The furnishings, remnants of Ivan’s paternal grandmother, serve as cherished keepsakes, though the apartment requires extensive renovations. Despite their challenges, Yana’s resilience and faith guide them, fostering a home filled with love, comfort, and hope. Supporting Ivan and his mother would be incredibly meaningful to them.
