By Olga Sergeeva | Project Communications Officer
Dear Friends, spring greetings from Ukraine!
Easter is approaching in a few days and we want to share some really exciting news with you. As you probably know, currently Ukrainian people suffer from military conflict in Eastern regions and we have difficulties and issues connecting with that process. Our present day story is about short-term foster carers who providet care and moral support for two girls and helpes to rescue them from life threatening experience.
«You cannot imagine how scary it is there for all, especially for children, – commented about events in Luhansk region professional journalists Maksym and Oksana*, «there is no sense for our family to return back».
Two Russian-speaking chatterboxes – 12-year old Sasha and 9-year old Katya along with their father Maksym and mother Oksana moved from the “war zone in Luhansk region” to “peaceful” Kharkiv in autumn last year. The family rented an apartment, the children went to school and their parents got wrapped into dangerous journalism: «as there shall be someone, who will provide real truth about events in Luhansk region». However, life changes things: it has become dangerous for Sasha and Katya to stay in Kharkiv in the beginning of February 2015 due to professional activities of their parents, as the family received numerous threats. Afterwards came the worrying overnight move to a place where the children would feel safe.
Thus, Sasha and Katya temporarily “went for a visit” to a short-term fostering family under the parents’ consent to Natalia and Anatoliy in Kyiv. «Your parents are genuine heroes, as they returned to work in order to save lives of others”, – said Nataliya to the children, – “and you are small heroes too, as you can keep secrets».
Seventeen days have turned Sasha’s and Katya’s visit into meaningful walks, amusement and interesting ways of conceiving Kyiv. «The children are very interesting, curious and it may seem sometimes that they “got more mature” from that “unpeaceful life”, since they have always been concerned whether their mother and father would come back, whether they were fine» (an abstract from the dairy of short-term foster parent Natalia). «I have been impressed by an open dialogue with older Sasha, in particular, who seemed to be very heart-pounding and chatterbox Katyusha and... trusting “secret” conversations about everything, everything, everything.»
There were tears and emotional rollercoaster and anger – “and that’s is normal” – as psychologist testified, who managed to hold several meetings with girls. «We adults do not comprehend what is going through such a small child's soul in the daily expection of a phone call and command: "packing your cloth and go home tomorrow, everything is good, the danger has gone."»
Hurray! There is the long-awaited Dad on the verge of foster carer’s apartments... then shared dinner and several hours on the road. And the girls’ call and a sincere «Thank you so much, Natasha, we already miss you much and could we call you again?»
Our team thank you all for supporting this project so that the children in our care are able to “get back” to their common family life after being knocked down by the difficulties sometimes caused by the most incredible reasons. We are looking forward to sharing our further updates with you and grateful to you all again for the happy ending and support.
May all the choicest blessings of the world be showered upon you and fill your life with delight. Happy Easter!
* The names have been changed to protect a child's confidentiality.
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