Dear Sponsor,
I am so happy to get to know you! My name is Svitlana. I am 11 years old, and I am in the 5th grade. I have brothers and sisters, and I love spending time with them.
I want to tell you a little about my younger brother, Illia. He is 5 years old, very cheerful, and full of energy. He loves playing with toy cars, running, and jumping. We spend a lot of time together, and I really enjoy playing with him.
My best friends are my sisters, Tetiana and Nadiia, as well as Lena and Sofiia. They are very kind, and I truly treasure our friendship. We often go out together, play hide‑and‑seek, ride on the swings, and simply have a wonderful time.
I enjoy all the different seasons. In the winter, I love having snowball fights, and in the summer, I enjoy relaxing and swimming in the lake. I walk to school because it is very close to my home. My classes run from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Learning isn’t always easy for me, but I do my best. My favorite subjects are Physical Education, Art, and History. I also like to read a little in my free time. When it comes to food, my absolute favorites are red borscht, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin porridge.
In the future, I dream of becoming a veterinarian because I love animals very much and want to help them. Thank you so much for your support and help. It means so much to me that you are there for us. I wish you all the very best!
Your friend,
Svitlana
Caseworker Comments:
Svitlana is an 11‑year‑old girl in the 5th grade. She is calm, responsible, and deeply devoted to her family. She helps her mother with household chores and lovingly cares for her younger siblings. Although schoolwork does not always come easily to her, she works diligently and shows genuine interest in several subjects. Her gentle spirit, willingness to help, and desire to learn reveal a young girl with great potential.
Her general health is good, but the instability and hardship surrounding her home life place her emotional well‑being and development at risk. Svitlana’s family is facing severe and ongoing difficulties. Five children, including very young ones, are being raised in the home, making it nearly impossible for the family to meet even their most basic daily needs. They are living below the poverty line and struggling to survive.
Svitlana’s biological father abandoned the family, and her mother now lives with the brother of her former husband. Although she states they are officially married, he is not the biological father of the children. Neither adult has steady employment; they rely on occasional odd jobs, which provide no stable income. Their village offers almost no work opportunities, leaving the family trapped in a cycle of poverty. The children’s biological father plays no role in their lives and provides no support of any kind.
The family’s living conditions are extremely deplorable. They live in a small house with limited amenities and no centralized gas or water supply. Water must be carried in manually, and all bathing water must be heated separately. The toilet is located outdoors, and the home is heated only by a wood stove. The kitchen is not a real kitchen—just a small gas burner placed in a space never intended for cooking. The interior of the home is outdated and has not been renovated in many years. Some rooms are untidy and dirty, the furniture is old and worn out, and there is not enough space or proper furnishings to meet the basic needs of the children. The outdoor washroom is in very poor condition. Overall, the home does not meet even the minimum standards of comfort, safety, or hygiene for children. It urgently requires repair, proper sanitation, and improved living conditions.
Despite these challenges, Svitlana remains a gentle, loving, and hopeful child. She enjoys spending time with her siblings, playing with friends, and helping her family. She is at an age where stability, affection, and a safe environment are essential for healthy development. Without support, the hardships surrounding her could deeply affect her emotional well‑being and future.
This family is in desperate need of help—food, hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, and improved living conditions. They also need spiritual and emotional support, as the weight of their circumstances is far too heavy for them to carry alone. Svitlana’s participation in the HART Child Sponsorship Program is not simply beneficial; it is vital. Sponsorship provides stability, dignity, and hope. It ensures that Svitlana receives the care, encouragement, and resources she needs to grow into the strong, confident young woman God created her to be.
