Nearly 400 children receive genuine love and affection in an institution in Western Ukraine.

Leonid is one of these. He is a child with deep understanding. When the children were asked ‘What do children need?’ his straight-forward 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.’ Most of the children in Leonid’s home are from broken families. They are suffering the consequences of their parent’s inability to cope, from despair and violence.

Hope for a better way

But there is hope for change. Anatoliy is this Home’s excellent director. Both practical and intelligent, Anatoliy has a unique vision for the Home. It is important to him that the children’s educational and physical needs are met. But Anatoliy also cares and worries about the children’s future. He tries to do everything possible to place children in higher education. Before Anatoliy came to the Home some years ago, there was little discipline and even the staff could not be trusted.

Things are different now, with loving caring staff taking the place of a more severe routine. Encouraged by Anatoliy’s good use of donations, Mission Without Borders has helped in giving material support, including building materials, clothing, furniture and even pigs and bee-hives!

‘Without your help and assistance our Home would not look like this now; not just the fabric but the atmosphere has changed as well,’ thanks Anatoliy.

Changes for Olga by being sponsored

Olga is like Leonid. She also comes from a broken family. She too, knows the value of good relationships. She is being sponsored, and when asked if she keeps in touch with her sponsor she gave a big bright smile: ‘Yes, I will. His name is Leon. I know every member of his family, and they are so good to me. He has a wife and two sons and we are pen friends. Once they sent me a big, pink teddy. Last autumn, they surprised me by coming to Ukraine. It was really exciting to meet them in person.’

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

Show your care by sponsoring a child.