**NAZAR REQUIRES BOTH REGULAR AND MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP**
Dear Sponsor,
Hi! My name is Nazar and I’m 10 years old. I live in a village. My dad can’t work because he has a disability, and my mom doesn’t have a real job, she picks berries sometimes, but only in summer. I’m an only child, but we live with my aunt and cousins, so I’m never lonely. Karina is almost my age, and we always play and do chores together. My friend Liova lives nearby, and we hang out a lot.
At Christmas, we decorate a tree, and the church gives us presents. I also go caroling and save the money I get to buy a fishing rod; I really love fishing! I’m in second grade and take the bus to school. Some things at school are hard to remember, and I don’t like too much homework. But I like PE and the yummy food they give us.
We eat a lot of things like porridge, pancakes, and vegetables from our garden. My favorite is French fries and sausages, but we don’t have them much. On holidays, my mom and aunt make meat dishes, and guests bring sweets. I also help my dad fix things and pick grass for the cow. When I grow up, I want to be a police officer and drive a car with flashing lights! Thank you so much for helping me and my parents. It means a lot. I’d love to know more about you!
Love,
Nazar
Caseworker Comments:
Nazar is a gentle and quiet ten-year-old boy who finds joy in working with his hands and being outdoors, no matter the season. Though shy and without many close friends, he is thoughtful, kind, and always ready to help especially his father, by feeding the family’s animals and bringing in firewood. He loves fishing and soccer and often talks about his favorite activities with a bright spark in his eyes. Unfortunately, Nazar faces serious challenges in school. He is significantly behind in his development, has difficulty speaking, and suffers from speech impediments. He began school later than most children due to his condition, but his learning difficulties continue. These struggles go beyond age-related delays and reflect deeper cognitive and emotional challenges. Nazar was recently diagnosed with a developmental delay and continues to struggle with speech and retaining information. His parents wish to get him professional help from the village psychologist, but due to financial hardship, they are unable to do so. His story is one of quiet strength and perseverance, and with meaningful support, Nazar has the potential to thrive in ways his family has only dreamed of.
Nazar lives in a large extended family in an old village house owned by his grandmother. A total of 14 people share the home, including Nazar’s parents; his father’s bedridden mother; his aunt Svitlana, along with her husband and five children, one of whom already has a child of her own, and another who is preparing to get married, with her fiancé living there as well. Nazar’s maternal grandmother, Natalia’s mother, also lives in the household. The family has gypsy roots on the mother’s side. Living conditions are extremely limited. The house is very old and lacks enough rooms for everyone, so beds are placed in every available space and cannot be folded away. Water is pumped from a well, but the supply is often inadequate for cooking, laundry, and washing. Sometimes, they must collect water from neighbors. Two full families spanning five generations, live under one roof: parents and children, both grandmothers, Nazar’s aunt and uncle and their family, and bedridden elderly relative. The house has no bathroom, so residents use an outdoor toilet and wash indoors using basins. Although a pump was installed to bring water inside, it frequently runs out, especially with so many people living there. The family hopes to drill a deeper well for a stable water supply, but they cannot afford the cost. Additionally, building a new room is urgently needed to relieve overcrowding and ideally include a proper bathroom.
Nazar’s mother, Natalia, is quiet and calm, often adjusting to difficult circumstances rather than trying to change them. She has lived in her parents’ home ever since marrying her husband, Oleh, who moved in with her. After Nazar was born, they also took in Oleh’s seriously ill and bedridden grandmother, who requires constant care. Oleh has a second-degree visual disability, receives a small pension, and cannot work due to his caregiving responsibilities. He struggled with alcohol addiction in the past but has remained sober for more than five years. During a recent visit from the Child Sponsorship Program team, he was open and sincere, expressing a positive attitude toward the church and its values.
Natalia occasionally earns income through seasonal work, such as berry picking, but the family’s financial situation remains extremely difficult. They have previously received food assistance from the church, for which they are always deeply grateful. Natalia sometimes attends church services, and Nazar occasionally participates in children’s programs and holiday events. The family lacks consistent support, which is why Nazar is being recommended for the HART Child Sponsorship Program. Sponsorship would help meet his most basic needs food, medical support, clothing, shoes, essential items, and provide him with opportunities for development and education. This is a family doing their best to navigate very challenging circumstances, not due to neglect, but because they simply do not have the resources. With the help of a sponsor, Nazar would have a genuine chance to grow, learn, and thrive despite the obstacles around him.
