Children's Home in Rivne, Ukraine

Hello! My name is Emerick, I am 17 years old and I live and study in London, United Kingdom. I grew up in Eastern Europe and from an early age traveled regularly to Ukraine.  I used to spend part of my school holidays there with my parents while they ran their business. 

During my trips to Ukraine, I visited an orphanage and children's home for palliative care in Rivne. This experience was heart-breaking for me as I realized that these kids have so little.  The orphanage is funded by the State of Ukraine but the premises are very basic and the children do not have much in terms of toys or other resources to help with their development, from creative supplies or games.  A few years ago, my family and some friends who are from Rivne asked the orphanage what we could give to the children for Christmas.  We each received a letter from a child (or their caregiver) as if we were Santa Claus and all of their wishes could be fulfilled.  But what they asked for was mostly toothbrushes, or nappies for the younger ones, and maybe a few candies.  I felt very sad for these little children when I remembered how my Christmases had been filled with toys, books and family.  

This memory has stayed with me and when the war started I reconnected with the orphanage as I was worried that their already limited resources would be reduced even more as Ukraine dedicates most of its resources to its defense.  

Given these dire circumstances, I decided to start this project to raise awareness and funds for the Rivne orphanage.  The war is unlikely to end anytime soon and these kids are getting by with very little.  Right now, the orphanage gets only about 1.2 Euros per day per kid from the State to cover their needs.  

Every pound will make a meaningful difference to the orphanage. The orphanage will use the funds to improve the lives and living conditions of the children in their care. I plan to visit the orphanage next summer, after my A-levels, to spend time with the staff and children and to witness the impact of my fundraising project. I am sure that with your help we can make a difference in these children's lives.

The money that is raised will go towards clothes, school supplies, toys, medicines and overall improvements in the lives of the children and their surroundings.

I thank you in advance for any donation, however small, that you make to this project.