Project aim
To provide orphans in eastern Ukraine a temporary home and deliver living skills before they can become independent
About the project
ChildAid has operated in eastern Europe since 1973. We work with local, trusted partners to transform the lives of abandoned babies, children living with disability, orphans and those leaving institutional care or children at risk in vulnerable families.
Dneprodzerzhynsk is in eastern Ukraine with a population of about 250,000. As with much of Ukraine today it has huge social and community needs. The economic, social and political situation in the country is critical and the focus has shifted away from supporting people such as orphans and the disabled, to the urgent needs of the wider population. Orphans are being forgotten and are living their own deeper crisis within the national crisis.
Orphans
Orphans in Ukraine are regarded with mis-trust and are largely second-class citizens. Upon "graduating" over 50% enter either organised crime or prostitution, 10% commit suicide within a year. ChildAid has a track record of getting alongside orphans, supporting them whilst under state care, and creating opportunities for them to lead a full and rewarding life with employment and/or stable families.
Orphans find it hard to find work unless they have a known home address. They find it hard to get accomodation unless they have a job. The current crisis in Ukraine has displaced 100 of 1,000s who are more attractive to employers than orphans, so it's even harder to find work. The huge numbers of refugees also means rental prices have soared.
There is an urgent need to buy an apartment which we can offer to a small number of orphans at any time, until they can secure a job and get their own accomodation. In the meantime we will also continue our effective programme of providing independent living skills.
Alina's Story
Alina's sad story is seen in the video and as we approach the deadline date, we will release Part Two of her story.
Her story is not unique. More stories of help being given to orphans, such as those in the pictures here, will be found on our Facebook page.
Your help can ensure that vulnerable children are given an opportunity they would NEVER receive otherwise.
The Money
You can't buy an apartment or build a home for £8,000 can you?
Well actually, in Ukraine yes you can! Property has always been cheap but with the current economic crisis in the country there is even greater oportunity for us to buy now. We already have land we can build upon - it's there just waiting to help the orphans!
We need to act fast to help orphans TODAY!