Dear sponsor,
My name is Valeriia, and I’m 8 years old. My mom works as a technician. I have a big brother who is in the Armed Forces, protecting Ukraine. My best friend is Viktoriia. We have so much fun together! We love going on walks, playing hide-and-seek, and catch-up games. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it’s so special for us.
In the summer, I visit my aunt in the village, where my cousins live. I’m in second grade, and I walk to school every day. I spend most of the day there. My favorite subjects are Reading and Informatics. I really like eating milk porridge, and on holidays, we sometimes have barbecue and cake!
When I have free time, I love going on walks with my friends. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.
Thank you so much for wanting to help me. I really appreciate it!
Valeriia
Caseworker Comments:
Valeriia is a bright and sparkling child, known for her energetic and enthusiastic personality. Her positivity and kindness make her truly stand out. She is always open to trying new things and loves making new friends. Valeriia has a deep passion for dancing, singing, and bead weaving, showcasing her incredible talent.
Despite her cheerful nature, Valeriia comes from a challenging background. Her family situation is complicated. According to social services, Valeriia’s mother has been on her own since Valeriia was born. It’s unclear whether Valeriia’s father left the family or passed away. Later, Valeriia’s mother lived with a partner, and together they struggled with alcohol addiction when Valeriia was still a child. Social services intervened, warning her mother about the possibility of losing her parental rights. Determined to keep her family together, Valeriia’s mother made a tough decision—she ended the relationship, reduced her drinking, found a job, and has been raising Valeriia ever since.
Valeriia’s mother also has a son who lives separately with his own family and is currently serving in the Armed Forces. Although they don’t live together, the family maintains a close bond. However, Valeriia and her mother face additional challenges at home. They live with Valeriia’s uncle, who struggles with mental illness and alcoholism, making the environment unpredictable and stressful. He sometimes becomes aggressive, causing fear and tension in the household. Valeriia’s mother frequently finds herself under immense stress and occasionally seeks assistance from social services.
We have known this family for a long time and have supported them through our Christian camp, Your Way. Our involvement began during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when we first met Valeriia’s mother. The family’s home was inherited from Valeriia’s maternal grandparents, who have since passed away. The house is old, divided into several sections, and lacks modern amenities such as a bathroom, toilet, and running water. The home is heated by a stove, and while there may be gas, it’s not confirmed.
Valeriia is a wonderful and positive girl who loves animals and children. She often takes care of the neighborhood kids until her mother returns from work. Valeriia spends her time after school either doing crafts or waiting for her mom to come home. She has attended Christian camps and shown great interest in studying the Bible, always putting her best foot forward.
Currently, Valeriia and her mother are in urgent need of assistance. The family faces several challenges, including Valeriia’s recurring stomach pains, which require medical attention but haven’t been addressed due to financial constraints. The house itself is in desperate need of repairs—wallpaper needs updating, doors need replacing, and the entire space requires new furniture, carpets, bedspreads, and curtains. The bathroom needs a water connection, and the kitchen requires repairs and basic appliances like a washing machine and refrigerator.
Additionally, the family needs help with registering the property in Valeriia’s mother’s name, as it is not officially documented. They also require humanitarian aid, including clothing, hygiene products, bed linen, school supplies, and food. Valeriia’s mother, who works as a cleaner with a modest monthly salary of around 6000 UAH ($195 CAD), does her best to care for her daughter and maintain the home. Despite the difficult circumstances, she is committed to providing a stable and loving environment for Valeriia.
This family, though strong and resilient, needs your help to improve their living conditions and ensure a brighter future for Valeriia.
