Winter has arrived. Mothers with their children have moved out of the displaced persons camps to stay warm. Most are living in churches and basements of homes in the western part of Ukraine around Uzhhorod, are which is near the border with Slovakia and Hungary. So far this region is safe.
Mothers need firewood for cooking and heating.
Displaced families need medicine that they can’t get at clinics where they can get some basic medical care for free.
Children aged 3 to 5
4 mothers need baby food
34 children need hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, towel, etc.)
55 mothers want toys for their children
Children aged 6 to 10
93 children need school supplies (pencils, notebooks, drawing pads, etc.)
45 kids need school book bags (backpacks)
20 kids asked for educational games such as chess and checkers
11 children need hygiene kits
Children aged 11 to 18
111 kids need a portable power bank charger
17 kids need hygiene kits
47 kids need school supplies
16 kids need book bags
These photos may look like a boy and a girl in the middle school of your town, but they’re not.
Displaced mothers and children in refugee camps in Ukraine tell their stories
Maria is 16. She writes: “We were forced to leave the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region because the war had started. Our house is destroyed. We arrived in Transcarpathia in May 2022. Twenty-four animals came with us. Dad works as a rescuer in the fire department. Dad stayed there to save people. I am very proud of my dad! In 2014, Dad was the first to go to save people in the city of Debaltsevo under shelling.
Dad is my hero. I played sports. In February 22, there was shelling and I was injured. I was in a cast on my leg for more than 2 months, the other leg was cut. The war destroyed all our plans and desires. My dream is to return home when the war ends. And now I plan to study to become a border guard. I also want to defend my country! I am finishing the 11th grade with flying colors.”
The story of Anna: We moved from the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region on May 3, 2022. It took 30 minutes to collect all the things, and you could take only the most necessary. My daughter is almost five years old and I didn’t want to explain to her at that moment what exactly happened and why we had to leave urgently with a small amount of things. Therefore, I decided to say that we are going on a trip and she took only two toys with her. We’ve been here for more than a year now and of course some toys have appeared, but she still remembers the table for “beauties” (hairdresser) that was left at home. She doesn’t know yet that our apartment burned to the ground but she firmly believes that we will definitely return and she will beautify her room.
A mother’s story: My daughter Valeriya is 11 years old. She is very energetic, interested in various types of activities. In particular, she has been doing choreography since she was five years old. She studies different languages – now at school it is English and German, in addition to Slovak. She loves making various crafts and drawing. It so happened that we were forced to leave the city of Kharkiv due to constant shelling. Many homes near us were damaged and people killed. We arrived in Uzhhorod in March 2022 from Zaporizhzhia. My son is 14 years old. He misses his home and friends very much.
Kateryna: I am a mother with two children who had to leave for a safe place due to the war. I raise them myself. We have the status of IDPs (internally displaced persons). My son is five months old. My daughter is seven years old.
Ivan’s story: He is 12 years old. He left with his mother from the occupied city of Balaklia in Kharkiv Oblast. During the war the boy lost his father, who died while in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, defending the Motherland. The child is going through this very hard, but he is trying to live a full life with his mother in the displaced people camp.
Another mother’s story: Our family was forced to leave Kharkiv on April 5, 2022, after a month of living in a bomb shelter and shelling. Gathering our thoughts, we left: mother, daughter and dog Athena. My daughter likes to draw, sing, dance and find positive moments, despite difficult times. It is her positivity that inspires us for the best future! In Kharkiv, she went to dance clubs, attended various master classes, studied English and now continues to study English. Her dream is to return to Kharkiv and live in Peace!
Where is this camp located?
This camp is located in the western region of Ukraine called Zakarpattia Oblast (state). This is a safe region where there is no active warfare at this time. It is close to the border with Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.
Is this an IDP camp?
Refugee camps inside Ukraine are also know as IDP (internally displaced persons) camps since the camps are in Ukraine, not in another country.
How do I know my donation will really benefit the refugee children?
World’s Children (WC) has taken every precaution to vet our partners in Ukraine. We have a country liaison and a verified Ukrainian nonprofit that we work with. All our partners are under contract with us. They are required to provide audit reports, photos, estimates, and receipts.
WC is a 501 (c) 3. We receives the highest ratings from Candid, Charity Navigator and Better Business Bureau nonprofit rating agencies because we value excellence and want your donation to be used as you have requested. After a project is completed, we supply photos and reports to our donors. Your donation is tax-deductible in the US.
Do you protect the identity of the children?
We use pseudonyms and do not connect the child/mother’s story with the photos we use.
On behalf of these children, we thank you!
WORLD’S CHILDREN IS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT REGISTERED IN THE US UNDER EIN 20-5276353. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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