Dear Sponsor,
Hi! My name is Pavlo and I’m 7. In September I’ll be going to second grade. I like school because I have lots of friends and learning is fun. I like drawing and making stuff with plasticine. I’m not super good yet, but I watch videos and my mom says I’ll get better.
In summer, I play soccer with my friends, and we make paper airplanes and fly them. My sisters taught me badminton, but they are tall, and the wind makes it hard!
I help my mom feed the rabbits and ducklings. I love ducklings! I chase them but I must be careful because the mama duck might bite me!
I hope you are happy and healthy. I wish you lots of smiles and good days.
I can’t wait to get your letter!
Your friend,
Pavlo
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Pavlo, a gentle and thoughtful 7-year-old whose quiet strength and kindness shine through in everything he does. Known for his caring nature and helpful spirit, he brings warmth to his family, especially as he lovingly tends to the rabbits and supports his mother, who is unwell. Pavlo finds joy in expressing himself through drawing and crafts, and his curiosity and dedication make him a standout student in math and Ukrainian studies. At home, he shares a close bond with his siblings, treating them with respect and affection. Pavlo’s calm demeanor, generous heart, and growing sense of responsibility make him a truly remarkable child, one whose presence brings light and hope to those around him.
In a quiet village tucked away from the bustle of the cities, lives a family whose resilience is both heartbreaking and humbling. The father, mother, and their five children, two older daughters, two teenagers, and the youngest, little Pavlo, wake each day to a life of uncertainty, hardship, and quiet hope.
The father does what he can, picking up odd jobs around the village like mending fences, hauling wood, helping neighbors with repairs. But even with his tireless efforts, the family’s monthly income rarely exceeds $150. It’s barely enough to keep food on the table. Pavlo’s mother, once strong and full of life, now bears the scars of a devastating accident. Years ago, while working with a saw, she suffered a severe facial injury. Despite multiple surgeries, her vision in one eye was lost. She wears glasses to hide the damage, but the pain, both physical and emotional lingers.
Now, she faces another terrifying battle: doctors suspect cancer. She is undergoing tests, and the fear of what might come next hangs heavy over the family. If the diagnosis is confirmed, every penny they have will go toward her treatment. There will be nothing left for food, clothing, or even the most basic needs.
Their home is deplorable, a village house with a large yard and a small vegetable garden. They’ve done their best to make it livable, replacing windows and patching walls with their own hands. But the house lacks essentials: there is no indoor restroom, no running water, no sewage system. The only water and gas are in a detached summer kitchen. The bathroom is separate, and the toilet is a simple wooden structure outside.
To survive, they raise rabbits, ducks, and chickens. This small farm is their lifeline, helping them stretch what little they have. Often, they go without. There are days when the parents skip meals so their children can eat. There are nights when the cold creeps in through the walls, and the only warmth comes from huddling together.
Alina, the middle daughter, once received support through a child sponsorship program. That help was a beacon of hope during dark times. It reminded them that someone, somewhere, cared. But now, with the father unable to travel for work due to the war, and the mother’s health deteriorating, the family is slipping deeper into crisis.
Yet through it all, they remain united. They go to church together, celebrate holidays with joy, and lean on each other with unwavering love. Their spirit is unbroken, but their needs are urgent.
They do not ask for much, only enough to feed their children, to keep their mother alive, to hold onto the dignity they fight so hard to preserve. A food package, a warm coat, and a kind gesture, these small acts could mean the world to them. This is not just a story of poverty. It is a story of courage, of a family clinging to each other in the face of unimaginable hardship. And right now, they need someone to reach out and say, “You are not alone.” Thank you for reading Pavlo’s story and for choosing to support him and his family during this time of crisis.
