Hello, Dear Sponsor!
My name is Roman, and I am 10 years old. I live in a city. Right now, I live with my grandmother, Lidiia, who takes care of me.
I have a big family with two brothers and five sisters. I also have two good friends, Stas and Zakhar. We like to play football and basketball together.
I celebrate Christmas with my family, and in the summer, I usually stay at home. I am in the fifth grade. I go to school by bus, and I spend about seven hours there every day.
My favorite subject is math, and I also really like music. I go to music school, where I play the bayan (accordion).
My favorite foods are borscht, varenyky, and pasta with eggs. I also like cake, sweets, and fruit.
In my free time, I like playing with my sister and brother.
I wish you good health, and I thank you very much for helping me and my family.
Your friend,
Roman
Caseworker’s comments:
Roman is a calm, thoughtful, and well‑balanced boy. He is responsible in his daily life and always tries to help with simple chores around the house. He is friendly, open, and easy to talk to. At school, Roman is diligent and especially enjoys mathematics. He also loves active games, basketball is his favorite and he has a deep interest in music.
But behind Roman’s gentle personality is a story of loss, hardship, and remarkable resilience.
Roman lives in a family facing extremely difficult circumstances and urgently needs support through HART’s Child Sponsorship Program. He has effectively been deprived of parental care. His mother, who was raising seven children, remarried and later gave birth to another daughter. Tragically, she became ill with cancer and passed away. After her death, the stepfather left all the children including his own daughter, Alevtyna, in the care of their grandmother and now lives separately.
Roman’s biological father, who lives in Russia, has been legally deprived of parental rights and is completely absent from the children’s lives.
Today, the only person caring for Roman and his siblings is their grandmother, an elderly woman who is not related to them by blood but loves them as her own. She has taken on the enormous responsibility of raising eight children, offering them stability, affection, and guidance despite her limited strength and resources. Her dedication is extraordinary, but the burden she carries is overwhelming.
The family lives in a small house that is generally in good condition but requires constant upkeep. After the grandfather passed away three years ago—he had been the one maintaining the home, the grandmother has struggled to keep up with repairs while caring for so many children. Still, she keeps the house clean, and it has basic amenities such as running water and an indoor toilet. Her love and effort are evident in every corner of their home.
However, the family’s only income is the grandmother’s pension, which is far from enough to meet the needs of eight growing children. They lack essentials such as nutritious food, clothing, school supplies, and opportunities for healthy development.
One of the most beautiful things about this family is their openness to the HART. They value spiritual growth and show a sincere desire to know God. When the caseworker first visited them, their openness to the Gospel was striking. This is a family longing for hope, stability, and the love of a supportive community.
Given the loss of their mother, the complete absence of parental support, the large number of children, and the grandmother’s limited resources, this family is among the most vulnerable and they urgently need help.
Sponsoring Roman would make a profound difference. Your support would help provide:
- Nutritious food and basic necessities
- Educational support and school supplies
- Emotional and spiritual care
- Relief for the grandmother, who is doing everything she can
Most importantly, sponsorship would give Roman the chance to grow up feeling secure, supported, and valued. It would show him that someone believes in his future and wants to walk alongside him.
Roman is a bright, kind, and hardworking boy. With your help, he can continue to grow, learn, and thrive despite the challenges around him.
