Dear sponsor,
Hello! My name is Vladyslav. I am 8 years old, and I go to the 2nd grade in a special school for children who have speech problems. I live in a village with my mom, dad, my sister, and four brothers.
My dad works at “Pan Kovbaska,” but not officially, and my mom is at home now because she is on maternity leave. We have a dog, and I love her very much. I walk her, feed her, and make sure she doesn’t chase our chickens. I also help my mom with chores like feeding the chickens, cleaning the yard, and washing dishes.
At school, I like math, writing and learning. I go to school by bus, and I study for about 5–6 hours every day. My best friend is Orest. He protects me from the older boys, and we play volleyball and football together. I love sports a lot, and when I grow up, I want to be a P.E. teacher.
At Christmas, my family and I go caroling to our friends and relatives. In my free time, I ride my bicycle and play with my sister and the younger children. My favorite foods are pancakes with condensed milk, stuffed cabbage rolls (holubtsi), soup, and borsch. On holidays, I like to eat tasty croutons.
My family goes to the Orthodox church in our village, and we also pray at home. Dear Sponsor, thank you for choosing me. I thank God that I can get to know you. I really want to learn about you — what is your name, how old are you, do you like sports, what games do you play, do you have pets? Do you like football and tea? I will be very happy to write you letters because no one writes to me, and I really want to have a friend.
With love,
Your new friend,
Vladyslav from Ukraine
Caseworker’s Comments:
Meet Vladyslav, a calm and gentle young boy with a heart full of love, especially for his mother, whom he joyfully helps with household chores and tidying up his toys. Active and full of energy, he delights in cycling, playing volleyball, and spending time with his brothers. Despite his cheerful spirit, Vladyslav faces challenges with a speech impediment and is currently attending a special school that supports him in overcoming this difficulty. His resilience, kindness, and devotion to his family make him a truly inspiring child, one whose journey you can help brighten by sponsoring and supporting him.
The Prokopchuk family is living in very difficult circumstances and urgently needs support.
The mother is currently on maternity leave, while the father works unofficially in a low-paying job that does not provide stable income. The parents are not married, so all six children are registered under their mother’s surname. The family is raising six children, including Vladyslav, a gentle and calm boy who struggles with speech defects. He attends a specialized school and requires additional educational and emotional support.
The family does not own a home. They are temporarily living in a relative’s house, which is in dilapidated condition and requires major renovations. The house has four rooms, three of which are very small. The walls are peeling, the floor is damaged, and the windows and doors are old, letting in cold air. Heating is only by firewood. Gas and electricity are connected, but there is no running water — the family relies on a well in the yard. There is no bathroom, and the toilet is outside. Cooking is done on a small electric stove in the hallway. There is no washing machine; clothes are washed by hand in a basin. Furniture is scarce and worn out: old beds, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, and a bedside table. Despite this, each child has their own bed. The house is not very clean due to the conditions, but the parents do their best to maintain order.
The children lack basic comfort and security. They grow up without the essentials that most families take for granted — clean water, proper sanitation, safe furniture, and a warm home. Despite these hardships, the parents strive to care for their children and keep the household functioning.
HART’s Child Sponsorship Program offers a lifeline for families like the Prokopchuk’s. Sponsorship would provide basic needs such as food; help improve their living conditions and bring dignity to their daily lives; support Vladyslav’s development, giving him the chance to overcome his challenges and build a brighter future; and offer the family hope, encouragement, and stability in a time of great need.
The Prokopchuk family’s situation is a reminder of how fragile life can be without support. Sponsorship can be the difference between despair and hope, between survival and growth.
We ask for God’s protection and blessing over the Prokopchuk family and believe that through the generosity of sponsors, they will find strength, encouragement, and the opportunity to build a better future. By sponsoring Vladyslav, you are not only helping one child — you are uplifting an entire family, giving them the chance to live with dignity, stability, and hope.
