*MAKSYM REQUIRES BOTH REGULAR AND MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP*
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Maksym. I’m 12 years old and in the 6th grade. I’m really happy I get to write to you.
I like going to school. My favourite subjects are PE and IT. I ride my bike to school every day, and it always puts me in a good mood.
In my free time, I play sports with my best friend Arsen. I also love spending time with my brothers. At home, I help my mom by cleaning and washing dishes.
My favourite holiday is Christmas because I get to go to the “Your Way” Christian camp. I have so much fun there and learn a lot about God.
In the summer, I like being outside and relaxing. My favourite food is pizza, and at home I love stewed potatoes.
When I grow up, I want to wash cars because I enjoy it and think it’s useful.
Thank you for your kindness and support. I would love to get to know you better.
Your friend,
Maksym
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Maksym, a loving, kind, and bright young boy whose cheerful personality makes him stand out wherever he goes. He is known for his friendliness, his warm smile, and the way he brings positive energy into every room. Maksym loves staying active, especially when he’s playing soccer or volleyball, where he can run, laugh, and enjoy the excitement of the game. At home, he is a big help to his mother, always willing to clean around the house and wash the dishes without being asked. At school, his favourite subject is PE because he enjoys moving, playing sports, and challenging himself to get better. His teachers see him as a hardworking, optimistic student with a bright future ahead of him. Despite his joyful nature, Maksym faces severe health problems that require frequent care and attention, yet he continues to show incredible strength, courage, and hope. His determination, gentle heart, and unique spirit make him truly special.
Maksym has a serious chronic condition—neurofibromatosis, which is genetic and, unfortunately, incurable. This condition causes benign tumours to form, specifically in the brain, requiring constant medical monitoring. Because of this, Maksym needs to undergo regular check-ups, be monitored by doctors, and receive appropriate treatment as needed. Timely medical supervision is crucial for managing his health and preventing potential complications.
Maksym’s family is facing extremely difficult circumstances, and they are in urgent need of support through HART’s Child Sponsorship Program. He lives with his single mother, who is trying to raise her children on her own while struggling with serious psychological challenges and periods of alcohol misuse. These difficulties make it hard for her to provide the stable care and attention the children need, especially as their situation becomes more overwhelming each year.
The family lives in a small, cramped house with very deplorable living conditions. Several family members share one overcrowded room with old beds, a damaged wardrobe, and only the most basic furniture, much of which is worn out or barely usable. The kitchen contains a few outdated appliances, and because of their limited resources, it is difficult for them to keep the home clean or organized. The overall state of the house, cluttered, deteriorating, and lacking proper space—does not offer the safety or stability a child requires to grow up healthy and secure.
The challenges in the family are intensified by the needs of Maksym’s siblings. His older brother has a severe intellectual disability and requires constant supervision, often running away from home and needing continuous care. His twin brother, Yevhen, is currently receiving treatment in a specialized facility for mental health crisis. With so many responsibilities and emotional burdens, their mother is unable to maintain steady employment or provide a decent standard of living for her children.
Despite all of this, Maksym remains remarkably resilient. He is open, sociable, and eager to participate in activities. Recently, he attended a Christian camp where he was able to rest, experience joy, and receive emotional support, something he rarely experiences at home. However, Maksym himself suffers from serious health problems that require ongoing medical attention, making the need for support even more urgent.
Given Maksym’s severe health conditions, the family’s unstable living situation, and his mother’s limited capacity to meet the children’s needs, enrolling him in the Sponsorship Program is absolutely vital. Sponsorship would help provide for his basic needs, ensure he receives proper medical care, and give him the chance to grow up in a safer, more nurturing environment. Most importantly, it would offer him hope—something every child deserves, but which Maksym has had far too little of in his young life.
