Dear Sponsor,
My name is Maksym. I am 9 years old and in the 4th grade. I have a little brother named Mykola (he is 1), and an older sister, Viktoriia. I like helping my mom take care of Mykola, and I love playing with our dog at home.
My favorite things to do are playing football and being outside. I live with my family, and my mom works very hard to take care of us because my dad doesn’t live with us anymore. I try to help by looking after Mykola and keeping our home tidy.
May the Lord bless you!
Your friend,
Maksym
Caseworker Comments:
Maksym is a bright, cheerful, and active 9‑year‑old boy who loves football, the outdoors, and caring for his little brother, yet the difficult living conditions at home and the absence of a father have placed heavy responsibilities on his young shoulders. Instead of enjoying a carefree childhood, he often steps in to help his hardworking mother, showing a level of maturity far beyond his age. He is gentle, understanding, and deeply caring toward other qualities that shine through both at home and at school, where Physical Education is his favorite subject. Despite the challenges he faces, Maksym is growing into a wonderful young boy with a kind heart and quiet strength that inspires everyone who meets him. With support, he could experience the stability, encouragement, and childhood joy he deserves, giving him the chance to flourish into the young man God created him to be.
During a recent visit to Maksym’s home, it became clear that this 9‑year‑old boy and his family are living in extremely difficult conditions that greatly limit the children’s ability to grow, learn, and simply enjoy a normal childhood. The family lives in an old wooden house that has existed for many years and now requires major repairs both inside and out. The windows and doors are worn and drafty, the roof leaks, and parts of the floor have rotted through. Inside, the walls and ceiling are damaged, and the furniture is long overdue for restoration. There is no running water in the home, and the toilet is located outside—an especially challenging situation for the youngest child, one‑year‑old Mykola. All family members share a single small room, leaving no space for the children to study, rest, or have even a moment of privacy. Despite these hardships, the mother does everything she can to keep the home tidy and create a sense of order for her children, but the environment simply cannot meet their basic needs for safety, comfort, or healthy development.
The family is large: Maksym, his baby brother Mykola, and his older sister Viktoriia, who is studying to become a hairdresser in a nearby town. Their mother is a homemaker who devotes all her time and energy to raising the children, as the father is completely absent, he does not participate in their upbringing or provide any support. This leaves the mother carrying the full weight of the family’s needs, and the financial strain is overwhelming. They struggle to afford food, medicine, firewood for the winter, and even basic utilities. Although the family’s health is generally stable, they often face seasonal flu, which only adds to the burden.
Given the family’s vulnerable situation, support through the HART’s Child Sponsorship Program would make a profound difference. Sponsorship would help provide the children with basic necessities, create safer and more comfortable living conditions, and ease the heavy burden on their mother. Most importantly, it would offer this family stability, dignity, and hope for the future. For Maksym, sponsorship could mean the chance to simply be a child again.
