War is a terrible reality, and tragically, it has become a common aspect of life in Ukraine. The suffering it has caused is immense – countless lives of soldiers, civilians, and children have been lost. It’s hard to express the depth of this horror and fear. War robs children of their innocence, inflicting trauma and forcing them to endure constant stress.
Yet, amid this overwhelming grief, you, dear sponsors, are a response to the tears of these children, offering hope and support.
Many Ukrainian children benefit greatly from the Child Sponsorship Program, including a remarkable girl named Karina Totska. Despite her young age and the challenges she faces, she demonstrates that there is always a way forward. With a big, kind heart, she loves her dad deeply and is determined to do everything she can to support him. It’s clear that her father must take immense pride in raising such a wonderful daughter.
In January 2022, Karina’s father and her uncle, who lived with them, were drafted into the army to defend their homeland from invaders. This was a harsh reality for Karina and her brother to accept, but their mother encouraged them to stay strong, reminding them to pray and support the Ukrainian military in any way they could.
As a family, they started actively weaving camouflage nets and gathering vegetables for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Weaving camouflage nets
This year, however, tragedy struck their family: one day, they received the devastating news that Karina’s father had been seriously wounded, and it was uncertain if his arms could be saved.
Everyone was overcome with grief, but even then, Karina’s mother, a remarkably courageous woman, remained resilient. She traveled immediately to see her husband at a hospital in Kharkiv, in Eastern Ukraine, and later arranged for him to be transferred to Lviv, closer to home.
He has since undergone multiple surgeries, which saved his arms, though he still lacks sensation and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Karina understood that her father’s treatment would be costly, so in the spring of this year, while he was still in the hospital, she decided to plant chrysanthemums in the garden. Her plan was to sell them in the fall to help cover his medical expenses.
This wasn’t the only effort Karina made to support her father. Earlier, she had painted a picture, sold it, and donated the proceeds to the brigade where her father was serving.
Karina shared that during Christian camps, she learned valuable lessons about honoring and supporting one’s parents. These teachings left a lasting impression on her heart and inspired her actions. She also learned to be thankful to God for His boundless love and for all that she has.
Because of the war, Ukrainian children have had to grow up quickly, setting aside games, sports, traveling, and the joys of childhood to take on adult responsibilities and concerns. HART serves as a guiding light on this challenging path, offering hope to those in need and leading them towards Jesus Christ.
Dear HART child sponsors – we are deeply grateful for your loving and generous hearts that bring support and encouragement to the children of Ukraine. Thank you and may God bless you.
HART Team in Ukraine
