Stories of how Sponsorship changes lives

In this article you can meet some of the people in Ukraine whose lives are better because of sponsorship: from Oksana who is inspired to help children because we helped her through a difficult time, to Nadia who needs help to achieve her dream to be a vet. 45 children in Ukraine and 22 children in Malawi benefit from Sponsorship with Care in Action.

Oksana is a good example of what we aim to achieve: she is a teacher who works at a children’s home and often volunteers with us, but when she was younger she relied on Sponsorship. Oksana was 16 when her Grandma died, after that she often had to fend for herself. Monthly sponsorship helped her to buy meals, study materials and transport. One of our Mentors supported Oksana through this crucial time, helped her to apply for a university scholarship and found a local donor to cover some university costs.

Oksana is now qualified as a teacher and working in a children’s home. Helping people like Oksana to get past poverty and hardship, and grow up so they are able to support themselves and others is what Care in Action is all about. Oksana says “Thank you for making the world better and kinder”.

We added ten children into our Sponsorship Programme in 2021, to help with long-term solutions after finding their families in crisis during the pandemic. When visiting their homes, we see both poverty and potential.

Nadia is full of hope – she wants to be a vet. At 12 years old she already understands the study and practice that will be needed. She plans to gain experience with her Aunt, a veterinary pharmacist. Nadia’s mother obviously feels the pressure of paying for Nadia’s treatment for diabetes while raising 6 children by herself. When you visit her home, you see building work that is left unfinished because the family simply can’t afford to do more. With donations from our supporters, we can help Nadia to reach her goal and to have a future free from poverty.

Marosia’s Aunt and Grandma mostly support the family through farming. Life is simple and hard: both women are widowed. They say it’s good that they have a horse to pull the wagon with potatoes and harvest from their fields. When we visit, they offer tea with a very warm welcome! And they express heartfelt thanks for our sponsorship. They gave some of Marosia’s artwork to send to children in Germany who are collecting school and art supplies that we can distribute  in Ukraine.

If you would like to sponsor a child, you can get to know them, exchange letters and make a real difference! Contact Jasmine at [email protected] (in English) or Marta at [email protected] (in Ukrainian). Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers who help us to improve lives!