** VALENTYNA REQUIRES BOTH REGULAR AND MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP**
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Valentyna, and I am 12 years old. I live in a city. My father passed away, but now I have a new father, my mother recently got married again. My stepfather works as a welder and even makes cauldrons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. My mother is currently on maternity leave. I have an older brother, Yevhen, who takes me to church when I ask him. My best friend, Dasha, is from church as well, and I really enjoy spending time with her and talking. I love younger children and often help take care of little Ester whenever I have the chance.
At Christmas, my sister Ilona, who lives in a village, comes to visit us. We always have a wonderful time going for walks and attending church services, where we sometimes receive presents. During summer break, I enjoy writing, reading, and going for walks, especially when my father has time to take me to the lake. I am now in the fifth grade. I take the bus to school; it’s only two stops away. While I don’t have close friends at school, I do like my teachers because they are very kind. My favorite subject is PE (Physical Education). I love sweets, but my mother encourages me to eat other foods as well. At home, I usually eat soups, spaghetti, and mashed potatoes. On holidays, my mother prepares special meals like cutlets or cabbage rolls. In my free time, I enjoy playing with my cat, spending time with my sister, and dreaming about the future—I hope to become a teacher in kindergarten one day because I love children.
Dear Sponsor, thank you so much for choosing me and for your desire to help me and my family. Your kindness means the world to us, and I would be so happy to receive a letter from you. Please tell me a little about yourself and your family, I would love to get to know you!
Love,
Valentyna
This letter was written by Valentyna’s mother.
Caseworker Comments:
Meet Valentyna, a bright, energetic, and deeply sensitive child with a heart full of love. She finds joy in expressing appreciation and sincerity, always eager to share kindness with those around her. In return, she longs for acceptance and affection, cherishing moments of connection and warmth. At home, she is a wonderful helper to her mother, lovingly caring for her youngest sister, tidying up her toys, and playing with her siblings. Her nurturing spirit shines through in everything she does. At school, her favorite activity is PE, where she enjoys movement and play, and she delights in drawing, using art as an outlet for her imagination and emotions. Despite her joyful nature, Valentyna faces challenges, including psychiatric disorders, intellectual disabilities, and significant delays in physical development. These difficulties bring behavioral challenges that require special attention and care. Yet, through it all, her resilience and loving heart remain unwavering. With the right support, guidance, and love, she continues to grow, finding happiness in the little moments and the people who surround her with compassion.
Valentyna is one of three children in a large family facing significant difficulties. Despite their struggles, they have shown remarkable resilience and steady progress in rebuilding their lives. HART case workers have been acquainted with the family since the onset of the full-scale invasion, when they were under the care of social services. Valentyna’s mother, Oksana, was battling alcohol addiction, raising two children alone, and enduring a strained relationship with her own mother. During this difficult period, she met Andrii, a divorced man with a daughter from a previous marriage. Over time, Andrii moved in, they married, and he wholeheartedly embraced Oksana’s children as his own.
Though Andrii also struggles with alcohol use, his condition is not as severe as Oksana’s was. He works full-time as a welder, a skilled and in-demand trade, but wages in the city remain low. He often volunteers his expertise to repair vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oksana’s third pregnancy, along with Andrii’s presence, gradually sparked positive change she began drinking less, taking better care of their deplorable home, preparing meals for the children, and focusing more on Valentyna’s needs. The family’s removal from the social services registry marks a significant step forward in their journey toward stability.
The family lives in a privately owned apartment inherited by Oksana from her parents, though the property is co-owned with her sister as the inheritance has not yet been formally divided. Currently, five family members live in the apartment—Oksana, her husband Andrii, their children Valentyna, Yevhen, and their youngest sister Alina. The apartment is located in an aging building that was once a military barracks, with thick walls and high ceilings that significantly increase heating costs, making winter utility bills as high as 6,000 UAH ($200 CAD). The heating system is centralized and cannot be manually adjusted, as it is supplied from a nearby military unit’s boiler facility, and while the apartment has an indoor toilet, the plumbing is outdated and needs replacement. Most of the furniture is old and inherited, with only basic necessities such as a bed, a table, and an outdated wall unit; the children’s room has a bunk bed donated by neighbors. However, the apartment lacks a bathtub, forcing the family to use a damp, cold basement space for bathing, and in winter, the children are washed in the kitchen, making hygiene particularly difficult—especially for the youngest and for Valentyna, who has special needs. Despite these hardships, the family is making every effort to improve their living situation with the few resources they have—Oksana recently wallpapered one of the rooms using affordable materials and grows vegetables on a small plot of land next to the building. While the apartment is kept relatively tidy, it requires major repairs to become a safer and more comfortable home. Winters are particularly harsh under these conditions, yet the family remains determined to create a better environment, taking small but meaningful steps toward improving their daily lives.
As previously mentioned, Valentyna was born with congenital disorders, and for many years, her medical needs were neglected due to her mother’s past struggles. It wasn’t until she was ready to start school that her delays in physical and intellectual development became clear. Though she is of age to be in seventh grade, she is currently in fifth grade. Two years ago, Oksana pursued medical support and was finally able to secure disability status for Valentyna. She withdrew her from a specialized educational center where little progress had been made at the time, Valentyna did not know the alphabet or how to count. She now attends a mainstream school with the help of a teaching assistant. Though learning is still a challenge, she has made notable strides: she can read syllables, has begun writing, and is solving simple math problems.
Despite these improvements, Valentyna remains underweight and suffers from poor muscle tone, chronic nutritional issues, and emotional exhaustion, especially after school. Her younger sister, Alina, also falls ill frequently, but the family cannot afford essential medications. Valentyna’s prescribed treatments are financially out of reach.
While the family has taken meaningful steps forward, they continue to face hardships—battles with addiction, arguments, infidelity, and ongoing struggles that place the children in the midst of instability. Oksana, overwhelmed by daily challenges, often reacts with frustration. Valentyna, a deeply sincere child with a unique way of thinking, requires constant attention, struggles with focus, and finds basic routines difficult. Yet, her heartfelt expressions and gentle nature touch everyone around her in profound ways.
Faith remains a bright light in her life, Valentyna is active in her church, never missing a service, eagerly participating in children’s ministry, and lovingly caring for younger members. She often asks her brother to take her to church, a place where she feels truly accepted, loved, and joyful. She even encourages her parents and brother to attend, showing how deeply she values her faith. The family is warm and welcoming. They open their home to visitors and have been engaged in home groups within the church community. Despite moving to another part of the city, Valentyna and her brother, Yevhen, remain committed to their faith and the support of their church family.
Financially, the family continues to struggle. Andrii’s wages are meager, maternity benefits amount to only 860 UAH ($28.00 CAD), and Valentyna’s disability pension is modest. This limited income is not enough to meet basic needs, purchase food and medication, or provide necessary rehabilitation services.
Through it all, this family is striving to heal and to overcome addiction, improve their living conditions, and provide a better future for their children. They need support, and we believe that through this help, they will be drawn even closer to the Lord Jesus, who offers true hope and restoration.
