You can sponsor a child in Ukraine or Malawi and change their life for the better with a monthly donation of €30. In this time of crisis more children need the security of regular sponsorship to support their education and meet their basic needs.
When Natalia and her three children arrived in Lviv, they had lost not only their home but also the reassuring presence of a father and husband who had gone to defend Ukraine. Like so many displaced families, they faced fear and uncertainty. At our Creative Hub, however, they found safety, encouragement, and a community that has helped them begin to rebuild their lives.
In the first half of 2025 alone, our Creative Hub was visited more than 1,400 times. Families received advice and guidance from our Social Worker, individual aid, and tutoring for children. We also organised:
Importantly, 70% of parents reported positive changes in their children’s behaviour and emotions after spending time at the Creative Hub.
Alongside Natalia’s story, here are words of thanks from two other mothers:
“Huge thanks — you are wonderful! Since Illia [my son] is studying remotely, the time he gets to spend with other children is incredibly valuable!”
— Vita, mother, displaced family
“We are sincerely grateful for the month’s supply of baby food for Zakhar! This is vital for my son. Our fridge hasn’t been this full in a long time… the children and I were truly delighted with the fruits, milk and cheese.” — Hanna, mother, family of a serviceman
Natalia’s family is one of many facing the daily hardships of war. With her husband serving at the frontline, she is raising three children on her own, the youngest only two years old. The full-scale invasion forced them to flee their home and seek safety in Lviv.
The move brought a host of challenges: finding housing, adapting to a new city, supporting her children through a change of schools, and dealing with financial pressures and emotional strain. Natalia carried all of this responsibility alone, while worrying for her husband’s safety.
This is where Care in Action became part of their journey. At our Creative Hub, Natalia and her children found not only practical assistance, but also encouragement and hope.
Natalia took part in the GROWTH programme, a course delivered with our partners Tutapona NGO, designed to help adults work through trauma and develop tools for emotional recovery and personal growth.
“I was afraid of being left alone,” Natalia recalls. “But when I saw that the staff truly wanted to help — not just sympathise, but support me in real, practical ways — I found the strength and confidence to move forward.”
Her three children now take part in the Hub’s creative and educational activities, where they can express themselves, make friends, and find joy through art and play. For them, it has become a safe and inspiring environment.
The family also receives ongoing individual support — from clear information about social protection, to guidance with state assistance, and humanitarian aid such as vitamins, food, medicines, and clothing.
Encouraged by this support, Natalia has begun to give back. Using her skills and creativity, she now runs free masterclasses for children — including her own. It is her way of paying forward the kindness and solidarity she has experienced.
As our Social Worker Oksana Mishchenko explains:
“Despite the difficulties, Natalia’s children are growing up surrounded by care, resilience, and a strong sense of community. The older siblings support their mother, and together the family take part in volunteer activities and local charity events. Their story is a powerful example of how timely support, creative engagement, and personal empowerment can help families not only survive crisis, but begin to rebuild their lives — with dignity, hope, and purpose.”
We are deeply grateful to all our donors in Germany for making this work possible. Every contribution helps us bring children a step closer to safety and stability, so they can grow up with the chance to succeed in life.
You can sponsor a child in Ukraine or Malawi and change their life for the better with a monthly donation of €30. In this time of crisis more children need the security of regular sponsorship to support their education and meet their basic needs.