Issue 211 Christmas 2015 - Vladimir

Dneprodzerzhinsk, Ukraine

In Dneprodzerzhinsk, eastern Ukraine, Children’s Hearts are progressing with the new respite accommodation for single parents and/or vulnerable young people seeking a place of refuge until they can find their own secure home.

As when we were guided to open the House of Light in 2009 in the city, we were guided to start this new venture in the grounds of the same house.

Vladimir is 18 years old and has been in state care since aged 1. When he leaves State care within the next two years he will have nowhere to go. The authorities might find him a “home”, but with the refugees there are few if any places available. Without our temporary home he would be on the streets prey to gangs, drugs and an uncertain future.

We will review the need for more emergency accommodation in the city and if the Lord guides us, our vision will be to develop more such places.

You can support our Eureka campaign in Ukraine via the link below

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Issue 209 Summer 2015 - Veronika's Story

Ukraine

A mess up with paperwork in her youth left Veronika without a passport, and unregistered as a citizen making her ineligible for social services support. Growing up, this loving young woman cared for her disabled mother full-time.

Not long after she was married she gave birth to Vanya. Vanya was born with bilateral congenital clubfoot. When he was three months old Veronika's husband kicked her and their son out of the house. 

Left alone without documents, housing, registration or work she survived by staying with her cousin, friends, and even people she did not know. She worked on a market, leaving Vanya with a kind elderly neighbour.

Social services helped to get them a temporary registration and small benefits of £3 per month. However most importantly they sent her to Children's Hearts.

Since at Children's Hearts, ChildAid has helped her get all the paperwork necessary to avail of benefits, though just £24. She has began to read the Bible and is praying for a way out of her situation. She is currently renting a small flat from a friend but worries where she will go when her friend inevitably needs the apartment back.

Veronika is not alone in her struggle with poverty and a disabled child. However you can help her and countless other like her today by visiting - http://bit.ly/18bCwjES

Issue 208 Easter 2015 - Having Faith To Persevere - Iurie

In Moldova, the Tony Hawks Centre improves the quality of health of children from marginalised communities who suffer from chronic illnesses.

When 5 year-old Iurie was born with cerebral palsy the family were bereft. His father become aggressive with physical and verbal violence. The parents divorced 3 years ago and Iurie and his mother have not heard from, or received any financial support from him.

After two years at the Tony Hawks Centre, visiting 4 times per year, Iurie's condition has greatly improved and now with hydro-therapy this is even more pronounced. Before he was unable to go to kindergarten, but his improved health he can now go as other children do. 

Thanks to our partnership with UK charity MAD-Aid, we were able to provide Iurie with a wheelchair. 

The opening of The Tony Hawks Children's Health Centre with @thefridgeman & @childaidrr last year! #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/E71Fx9DYMG

— ChildAid (@childaidrr) March 19, 2015

Issue 208 Easter 2015 - Eureka

Directly as a result of the conflict in eastern Ukraine there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children sent to orphanages.

Karina and Anatoliy lived near Donetsk with their father. To keep them safe from the shelling he sent his children to an internat (orphanage) outside the city. Now he has no job, no money and connot even visit his children.

We are helping children, able bodied and disabled, in five internats in the Dombass region with our EUREKA  (Eastern Ukraine Relief & Emergency Kids Aid) gifts. The volunteers we have partnered with are providing basic needs - food, medicines, hygiene products, as well as entertaining them and reading Bible stories. Your ongoing support will enable us to continue with this ministry as we assess the children's wider needs. It is quite possible that we may develop longer term activity in support of this new wave of social orphans across Ukraine.

Our #UkraineAppeal has reached 74% of our target! Thank u all for being part of #TeamChildAid http://t.co/SQ0xDLR5Xq pic.twitter.com/rZvo348lSq
— ChildAid (@childaidrr) March 11, 2015

Issue 208 Easter 2015 - Having Faith To Persevere - Bianca

In Moldova, the Tony Hawks Centre improves the quality of health of children from marginalised communities who suffer from chronic illnesses.

Bianca is 6 years old and has Cerebral Palsy. Her father left to work in Italy to earn more, leaving her mother to care for her alone. To improve her condition her mother tried all the State-run rehabilitation centres and medications but to no avail.

For the last two years Bianca has come to the Tony Hawks Centre and the change has been dramatic. She is physically stronger, can now use stairs and bend her knees and is also so much happier. Bianca’s mother has also, for the first time, received guidance on how to care for her daughter.

The incredible service the Tony Hawks Centre provides would not be possible without the generosity of our followers and supports. 

You can support the Tony Hawks Centre here.

The opening of The Tony Hawks Children's Health Centre with @thefridgeman & @childaidrr last year! #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/E71Fx9DYMG
— ChildAid (@childaidrr) March 19, 2015

Issue 208 Easter 2015 - Esther House, a Palace of Hope

Our newest partner is Moldova is Esther House, operated by the German Christian charity, Ora. The day centre is in a village called Vilcinet and last summer celebrated 5 years of being open. Over these years Esther House has become a second home to many children from desperately poor village and surrounding areas.

For Olga, the Centre is an important part of her life: "Here I can feel free, full of energy and creativity. I love my peers and my teachers. These people make our days more interesting. From the very first day I came, I felt that I will spend the most beautiful moments of my childhood here."

At Esther House children of all ages learn to speak English, to do handicrafts, to dance and to sing. They also get assistance with their homework, psychological support and they can have open discussions about different topics such as hygiene, society, the environment, protection and the Bible. 

Support our work today and help us continue our truly life changing work. 

Issue 208 Easter 2015 - Strengthening Bodies

The Tony Hawks Centre in Moldova is dedicated to improving the lives of children with chronic conditions who live in socially vulnerable families by increasing the children's access to rehabilitation services and educating their parents.

Marin was one of the first children to come to the Tony Hawks Centre. Born with Cerebral Palsy, his mother went into deep depression. However with support from her family they have all rallied around Marin and are helping them through his rehabilitation.

Thanks to the generosity of ChildAid's followers, Marin has attended the centre for 14 years and has received physio, massage, speech and occupational therapy all completely free for the family. The generosity from our followers has further allowed us to fund our partner Speranta which has enable Marin to go to school - he is especially keen on English, Maths and History. 

We are blessed to have the support of author-comedian Tony Hawks. Buy his book today - proceeds to go ChildAid

The opening of The Tony Hawks Children's Health Centre with @thefridgeman & @childaidrr last year! #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/E71Fx9DYMG
— ChildAid (@childaidrr) March 19, 2015

Donate now to help us continue our truly life-changing work.