Dear Sponsor,
My name is Viktoriia, and I am 9 years old. I live in a village. My father does not have a permanent job, but he sometimes works on construction sites doing odd jobs. My mother is currently unemployed and struggles with addiction. She is now undergoing rehabilitation in another city.
I also have a sister named Yuliia, whom I love very much. She plays with me and helps me with my homework. We enjoy going for walks, riding our bicycles, and just spending time together. She is my best friend. On Christmas, I go to church for a festive service, and then we have supper at home with my grandmother. During summer break, I like to stay at home with my sister.
I am a second-grade student at a boarding school. My grandmother takes me there by bus, and the trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. I spend the week at school and then come home on the weekend. I enjoy the food at school, and I like my teachers. There are some naughty boys in my class, and sometimes they hurt my feelings. At school, I study Math, Reading, Writing, and other subjects. My favorite subjects are Math and Art. I like to eat potatoes, soup, Olivier salad, and pancakes. At home, I usually have soup or stewed potatoes. On holidays, my grandmother prepares Olivier salad for us. In my free time, I play with my sister, draw, or watch cartoons. I dream of becoming a cook when I grow up. Dear Sponsor, I am sincerely thankful for your desire to help me and my family.
(This letter was written by a caseworker based on Viktoriia’s words, as she still finds it difficult to write on her own.)
Caseworker Comments:
Viktoriia is a gentle and well-mannered girl with a quiet spirit and a kind heart. Though shy and reserved around strangers, she blossoms in the comfort of her sister’s presence, where laughter and love flow freely. Her world is simple and sweet filled with cartoons, the gentle company of cats, and cheerful ball games. She takes pride in small responsibilities, like making her bed, tidying up her toys, and sweeping the floor, all with the quiet diligence of a child who carries more than her years reveal. Although there are no formal medical records, Viktoriia exhibits notable speech difficulties and would benefit greatly from counseling and speech therapy. It’s clear from her behavior and needs that she has lacked the consistent care and support every child deserves, yet her resilience shines gently through every small task she does with love.
The family is facing extremely difficult life circumstances. Viktoriia’s mother, Ivanna, is currently undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction. Prior to entering the center, she neglected her daughters, led an unhealthy lifestyle, betrayed her husband, and lived with another man in the same village. For most of her life, Viktoriia lived with her mother, separated from both her sister and father. Although the parents were officially married, the girls were raised apart. Viktoriia’s older sister, Yuliia, lived with their father, who eventually began struggling with alcohol and was unable to manage the situation. Their grandmother, Svitlana, had to step in and assume full responsibility, first for Yuliia and later for Viktoriia as well.
Following the intervention of social services, both parents were registered in the system. Due to the mother’s condition and the fact that Viktoriia was not attending school, she was placed in a boarding school. She is now in the 2nd grade, attending school from Monday to Friday and returning home on weekends. However, she is still unable to read or write, has significant speech difficulties, and requires support from a speech therapist. Unfortunately, she has not yet been evaluated by specialists.
Currently, all caregiving responsibilities, including education, nutrition, and emotional support—fall entirely on their grandmother, who remains the only stable adult in their lives. The father does not have a permanent job, only occasionally finding temporary work. His uncle, who also lives with them, contributes what he can by helping cover expenses with his pension. However, the father plays a minimal role in the girls’ lives and rarely communicates with them. It is their grandmother who does everything she can to provide for them.
Viktoriia’s mother has been in rehabilitation for over six months. She occasionally calls the girls to apologize, and they still hope she has changed. However, their father no longer believes in her recovery and has filed for divorce, intending to terminate her parental rights. Despite this, the grandmother continues to allow the girls to have contact with their mother, though the future remains uncertain.
The family lives in deplorable conditions. They receive no state support for the children and survive solely on the grandmother’s pension and the father’s occasional earnings. The house is in very poor condition, with no repairs having been done for decades. Although the walls are whitewashed, plaster is crumbling in many areas. The wooden windows are old and cracked; oilcloth has been used in an attempt to block the wind. There is no running water or sewage system. A single washbasin is used indoors, filled manually from a bucket and emptied outside. The home does have a gas supply, allowing them to cook and heat rooms, but the gas boiler is outdated and consumes excessive fuel, becoming a major financial burden during the winter months. The house is overcrowded, and the living conditions are far from adequate. There is no indoor bathroom; the toilet is located outside. All laundry is done by hand.
The local church provides what help it can, regularly inviting the girls to attend festive gatherings. They go on their own, know the way, interact with other children, learn about God, meet kind-hearted people, and hold onto the belief that He can change their lives for the better.
Viktoriia is growing up in profoundly challenging circumstances. She urgently needs consistent support, warmth, and care. Regular food assistance would be a tremendous blessing, helping to ensure she receives the nutrition she needs, something her family struggles deeply to provide. Your support could offer her a real chance in a better, brighter future.
