In an institution in Western Ukraine 398 children are cared for with genuine love and affection.

Anatoliy is important because he is the Home’s excellent Director. Both practical and intelligent, Anatoliy has visions for the Home that are unique. It is important to him that not only the children’s educational and physical needs are met, but he also cares and worries about the children’s future. He tries to do everything possible to place children in higher educational institutions. Before Anatoliy cam to the Home four years ago, there was little discipline and even the staff could not be trusted.

Things are different now with the old staff replaced by loving caring staff. Encouraged by Anatoliy’s good use of donations, Mission Without Borders have been able to help in many material and spiritual way, including building materials, clothing, furniture and even pigs and bee-hives! “Without your help and assistance our Home would not look like this school now; not just the fabric but the atmosphere has changed as well.” Says Anatoliy in his thanks.

Leonid is also very important because he is child with deep understanding. When the children were asked “What do children need?” his simple answer was so surprising. He said, “The first need of children is parents”. How simple, how obvious, and yet how lacking in these children’s lives. “The second need of children”, he said, “is to have a good relationship with your parents”. The majority of children there are from dysfunctional families and are suffering the consequences of their parent’s inability, despair and violence.

And Olga is very important because even though she comes from such a family she knows the value of good relationships. When asked if she keeps in touch with her sponsor she gave a big bright smile: “Yes, I do. His name is Leon. I know every member of their family, and they are so good to me. He has got a wife and two sons and we are pen friends. Once they sent me a big, pink Teddy Bear and this time it was a blue one. Last autumn, they surprised me by coming to Ukraine. It was really exciting to meet them personally”.

Anatoliy, Leonid and Olga are all very important people because they are caring and are cared for.