Dear sponsor,
My name is Milena, and I am 11 years old. I live in Ukraine, with my mom, who works as a nanny. I am an only child. My best friend is Vika, and we are in the same class at school. We enjoy spending time together, sharing stories, and attending Christian camps.
I am in the 6th grade, and my favorite subjects are Math and Physical Education. I love Christmas, especially caroling, and I enjoy summer because I can attend camps and spend time with friends. My favorite foods are pasta with minced meat and pilaf.
Thank you for helping my family and me. Your kindness means a lot to us.
With love,
Milena
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Milena, a bright, joyful, and kind-hearted young girl with tremendous potential. She is her mother’s pride and joy and is known for her warm personality, caring heart, and contagious smile that brightens the lives of those around her. Milena excels in Math and Physical Education at school and enjoys spending time with friends, especially playing softball. At home, she is her mother’s right hand, always willing to help with chores such as sweeping the floors, washing dishes, folding laundry, and keeping their home tidy. Healthy, hardworking, and eager to learn, Milena approaches life with gratitude and determination. Her compassion, strong work ethic, and cheerful spirit make her a truly special young girl with a bright future ahead of her.
The family is facing significant hardship and would greatly benefit from support through HART’s Child Sponsorship Program. Milena is being raised by her mother, Zhanna, who became a widow and now shoulders the responsibility of caring for her daughter alone. With no relatives able to provide assistance and no stable employment, Zhanna struggles to meet even the family’s most basic needs. The family receives no social benefits and relies heavily on the food packages provided through the Child Sponsorship Program. Most of their clothing comes from second-hand donations through their local church, and every day is a challenge as they work to stretch their limited resources.
Despite these difficulties, their home is filled with love, resilience, and hope. Zhanna is a devoted mother who works tirelessly to provide for Milena and create the best life possible for her. Milena remains cheerful, grateful, and full of joy, a reflection of her mother’s unwavering love and dedication.
The family lives in a single room within a dormitory building. This small room serves as their bedroom, dining area, and living space, forcing mother and daughter to sleep, eat, and complete schoolwork in the same cramped area. The room is modest and in need of repairs, with old furniture and very little storage space. They share a bathroom and toilet with other residents on their floor, facilities that are poorly maintained and often in disrepair. There is no proper study space for Milena, and she must use a shared table in the communal kitchen to complete her schoolwork.
Even with these challenges, Zhanna works hard to keep their room clean, welcoming, and as comfortable as possible. She sacrifices daily to ensure Milena feels loved, protected, and cared for.
What makes this family remarkable is not their hardship, but their perseverance. They continue to move forward with faith, determination, and gratitude despite overwhelming obstacles. Sponsoring Milena would provide much more than financial assistance. It would help provide nutritious food, clothing, educational support, and improved living conditions while giving hope and encouragement to a hardworking single mother and her daughter. Most importantly, your support would remind Milena and Zhanna that they are not alone and that others care deeply about their future. Through sponsorship, you can help give Milena the opportunity to thrive, pursue her dreams, and grow up with greater stability, security, and hope.
