Your gift can change lives for the better. Donations enable us to fund the services and programs that strengthen, empower and prepare children in care to enter the working world and lead a productive, independent life.
Children and families tell us that no heating and no electricity are some of their biggest problems now. We are communicating with foster families, people who fled their homes in the war and children in care to ensure we deliver the aid that meets their needs. When children are warm and safe they can stay healthy and focus on their education.
The 7 generators we purchased using donations to Care in Action will provide heating for 59 fostered children. Blankets, sleeping bags and donated winter clothes have been distributed, together with 200 rechargeable lights and 70 gas cookers.
Our aim is to protect another 400 children by providing warm pyjamas and thermal underwear, which costs 8,700 Euro. We have recorded sizes and confirmed the need for 396 children so far, including children in care. Our team in Ukraine is speaking with donors who will fund some of this warm clothing, but more donations are needed. Pyjamas and thermals will be purchased direct from manufacturers in Ukraine so the correct size is ordered, we support the local economy, and the cost is low.
One of the generators is helping a family who cares for 7 foster children ages 14 to 17: they used to live near the frontline. When they received the generator they were happy about the prospect of their children having less interruptions to their online school – their school was bombed so the teachers are teaching remotely – but the biggest relief for them was having heating.
This family had lived in Mikolayiv for 25 years and had a 7-acre farm which was their livelihood: they didn’t want to leave. For months they slept in the hallway of their home so they were away from the windows when bombs would regularly fly overhead between 11 pm and 5 am. The school and hospital were destroyed and all their fields were burned.
They finally couldn’t see a life for themselves there, and were one of the last waves of refugees to leave. The father cried for two months after they left their home. They took some of their farm equipment with them and now they are starting life again in the Lviv region. When they first arrived Social Services gave them food and clothes, and introduced them to Care in Action.
The foster parents joined one of our 7 online Therapist-led Support Groups that helps carers with expert advice and peer support in 6 regions of Ukraine. We include them and other displaced foster families as part of the 47 foster families caring for 225 children who we help in the Lviv Region.
We give aid to protect children and keep our focus on their long-term development. Donations also help us to give more children tutoring, therapeutic activities and access to our Creative Hub. Plans for a Youth Centre are in the works to support young people’s wellbeing, education and career development. Every donation gives children in Ukraine help that is urgently needed and is greatly appreciated!
Your gift can change lives for the better. Donations enable us to fund the services and programs that strengthen, empower and prepare children in care to enter the working world and lead a productive, independent life.