New children in the Centre

For some time we have been taking in children from war-torn Eastern Ukraine, mostly from Luhansk and Donetsk regions, some of whom have been able to move on and make room for others. As the situation of refugee children is still critical, we are determined to continue to help as far as our financial means permit. We provide these children with safe housing in a family environment, an education and psychological rehabilitation.

To be able to help as many children as we can, we have created two new family groups in the Centre. Olha and Denys Koptelov-Khrystofor and Lyudmyla and Vitalii Marchenko have been working at the Centre since October 2015.

The first in the family group Koptelov-Khrystofor includes the stepbrothers Vlad (10) and Stas (9) from the city of Donetsk. The brothers are very friendly, but different: Vlad enjoys modern gadgets whereas Stas is a born artist, who likes to sing and is active in the wrestling section. Both are good pupils. Friends Ira (16) and Yana (15) also came to us from the Donetsk Region. Ira studies foreign languages, dreams of becoming a model and goes to the gym. Yana is very shy but fond of music and singing. The girls always help the social mother with the housework and the younger children with their studies. Danyil (11) and Ivan (10) came to us from the city of Mariupol, their families suffered losses during the most troubled period. Perhaps this has affected the boys as they are very serious and thoughtful. Danyil loves working on the computer; he used to take wushu classes so he continues to do so at our Centre, as does Ivan.

The Svitlana and Yurii Borysenko family group had also obtained new members. In last summer, 2015, they were joined by Volodya, Vlada and Yeva and Artem (14) from the town of Shchastya, who are all related.  Artem was with them for some time but has now returned to his family. Mykyta (15) and Maksym (16) from Luhansk came to us in early September. Maksym is an excellent pupil who hopes to study at the Medical University one day. That is why he is seriously preparing for EIE. He also attends the weightlifting section. Mykyta is very friendly and cheerful. He used to enjoy dancing; he is happy to help with the education of the young children and household chores. In November, Dmytro (14) joined the family group from the town of Mariupol. Now he is in the 9th grade and is looking for possibilities for further training. Before coming to our Centre he used to like boxing; he now attends the wrestling section.

Liudmyla and Vitalii Marchenko also took in children from the war zone. Andrii (7), Oleksandra (8) and Nykyfor (12) came to us at the beginning of October from Mariupol, where their families had migrated from different parts of the Donetsk Region. In November, the family group was joined by Olia from Mariupol and the three brothers; Tymur (6), Artur (7) and Rynat (4) from the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv. Now Olia, Oleksandra and Andrii have already returned to their parents. Nykyfor is very responsible, takes all requests and tasks seriously and helps with domestic chores. He has had a lot of problems in his life, but he shows great determination in overcoming them. He studies well and loves roller skating.

Another boy Dima (11) from Mariupol was taken in by Lozynsky family. His own family suffered a lot in the war, which is probably why he attends the wresting section. He wants to learn to defend himself and his relatives. He studies well and has become friends with other children.

To sum up, since August 2015, we have taken in 22 children, 15 of them from East Ukraine. To date, the Centre is a home for 43 children, 13 of them from the military zone. We are doing everything we can to give all our children the love and care they deserve.