Dear sponsor,
My name is Kateryna, and I am 9 years old. My mom works as a seller and my brother is in the 4th grade. He is my protector and often reads books to me. I have a friend Dasha with whom I spend a lot of time together and ride bikes. I am in the 3rd grade, and I study online. My favorite subject is math. My mom cooks very well, and my favorite dish is buckwheat soup. In my free time, I like to walk outside. When I grow up, I want to become a hairdresser or a manicurist. Dear sponsor, thank you for wanting to help me and my family when we need it. I will be happy to get to know you through letters.
Sincerely,
Kateryna
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Kateryna, a vibrant and compassionate young girl known for her cheerful disposition and love for animals. Her active nature often conceals her deep sensitivity, yet she finds solace in helping her mother with household chores and indulging in her favorite pastimes of singing, dancing, and cycling. Demonstrating talent in mathematics and physical education, Kateryna thrives in her academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. Kateryna’s upbringing has been marked by adversity, as her family grappled with the aftermath of domestic violence. At the tender age of two, she witnessed her mother’s courageous decision to leave her father, escaping an abusive relationship, seeking refuge with her children in a new place. Despite facing financial strain, her mother’s determination to provide a stable upbringing for Kateryna and her brother remained unwavering. Kateryna’s mother found solace in a new partner who treated her and her children with respect, embracing them as his own. With this newfound love and support, life started to hold brighter promises for Kateryna and her family.
Sadly, Kateryna’s stepfather, who had assumed a paternal role in her life, tragically passed away from a heart attack last year, exacerbating their struggles and placing the burden of providing solely on her mother’s shoulders. With limited financial resources and no familial support network, they persevered, relocating to another city from Kherson in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine, seeking asylum with relatives. Their current living conditions reflect the family’s ongoing struggle, with a leaky roof and inadequate lighting exacerbating the deteriorating state of their apartment. Mold growth and structural damage underscore the urgency of their need for assistance, as they contend with basic necessities such as consistent access to warm water and functional living spaces. Despite these hardships, Kateryna’s mother remains steadfast in her commitment to rebuilding their lives in this new city, though she faces considerable challenges without external support. Despite her father’s absence and the limited support available, coupled with her mother’s employment as a shop assistant earning below-average wages, the family’s unwavering strength in confronting challenges shines through.
In light of their circumstances, it is evident that Kateryna and her family are in need of tangible support to address their immediate living conditions and alleviate financial strain. A concerted effort to provide assistance and resources would offer them a lifeline as they navigate their journey towards stability and self-sufficiency.
