“We finally found more permanent housing in the village of Golyshiv in western Ukraine. A very old house without facilities wasn’t what we were used to, but the main thing was that nothing threatened our lives now.”
Olena and her family now live 900km away from their old hometown, in a rented house on the edge of the village where a dirt road leads through a field. They survive by growing crops, and receiving a small amount of social benefits, as well as some help from neighbours and friends. Oleksandr has now started first grade in a local school, and Kira goes to the same school.
"My parents try to understand and support me and I’m glad about that. But I still felt lonely," says Kira. "I didn’t have any friends my own age I could spend time with, or share problems and experiences with.”
Kira and her briother Oleksander.
Knowing God works through people
One day, while buying medicine at the pharmacy, Kira’s dad was talking to the neighbours. He was saying that there are very few places in the village where children can play and spend time together, and very few opportunities for their development. The neighbour let him know that his child regularly attends a Christian day center in the nearby town of Mizoch.
Mission Without Borders has started up a child sponsorship programme in Mizoch, and is working closely with a church to offer activities for children in its community centre. Kira and Oleksandr began going along to a meeting every week at the centre, where they enjoy activities, games and Bible teaching. Staff and volunteers offer emotional and spiritual support to children, giving them a safe space to play and grow.
Nina, a church volunteer, said, “We were glad to meet Kira and her brother Oleksandr. They are such kind children. “I’m very glad that they’ve made friends with other children, and that they’ve found a place where they can have fun and ask questions.”
“The hardest thing for me was being far from home, far away from my friends and my school. My world seemed to have turned upside down. “I became very isolated. Attending the day center became a kind of consolation. I realised that everyone faces struggle and difficulties. I understood that I’m not alone in my circumstances. There are people who can support me and give me advice." - Kira, 13
Olena knitting at home
“Also, I like to hear about God. The idea that Jesus knows me personally and wants to be a part of my life amazes me,” Kira said.
“I am so glad to see the difference in my daughter’s behaviour. She’s a polite and kind girl. Still, since the beginning of the war she became closed off. Something inside had traumatized her and had been paralyzing her until recently. Now she’s more confident and cheerful. I think she found what had been missing in her life: new friends, acceptance, the opportunity to share her inner world. My mother’s heart is happy," Olena said.
Nina added, “Sadly, war traumatizes children in a particular way. It’s especially hard for those who have lost almost everything and who don’t have any hope and confidence in the future. That’s why we talk a lot about Christ, who is the true bread of life, who is faithful at all times and will never leave us."
“The community center allows us to gather children together and have a place where they can enjoy being friends and receive the support that they need. We spread the gospel, have a positive impact on parents, develop relationships, and invite people to our church and to Sunday school."
“God willing, in the summer the children will have the opportunity to go to summer camp. In Ukraine, it’s now very difficult for families to organize a summer holiday, especially when they’ve lost everything – jobs, homes, possessions. That's why summer camp is especially valuable.”
Andriy, the Mission’s child sponsorship coordinator, said, “It’s very important for a person in difficult circumstances to feel that they’re not alone, that they have people who understand, sympathize, and support. This is an image of the fact that Christ is near, that hope in Him helps us to renew our strength.
“By helping children and their parents, we build in them hope and faith in Christ, and this is the most important thing that anyone can have," says Andriy.