In Ukraine, parents of children with special needs are encouraged to hand their children over to state care. They are told their children are a burden on society. Children are sent to institutions where they are subjected to abuse and neglect. There is minimal support available to parents who fight to keep their children with them. Maya's Hope wants to help relieve some of the burden on these amazing parents and assist in keeping children with their families, where they belong.
"I can't do this anymore. I am exhausted. I have no money and no help."
This is what a desperate mother told our manager a year ago. She contacted him, asking him what the process was to place a child in an orphanage. She has 4 children, one has cerebral palsy. Her name is Bogdana.
She is raising them alone. They live in an extremely rural village, with only 7 houses. Her ex-husband left the family when Bogdana was very small and he does not support them. The family of 5 is struggling to survive on around US$100 per month.
She doesn't want to put her child into an orphanage, but she feels like she has no other options. Our manager said "We can help, you are not alone."
We wanted to keep with Bogdana at home, where she belongs! To do this we hired a part-time nanny so that her mother gets the chance to have a break. We have also been providing Bogdana with formula, medicines and diapers. A year later, Bogdana is still with her family and is doing well.
Can you help us continue to support this family?
Maya’s Hope helps disadvantaged children living in poverty and helps provide hope by instilling value and purpose in each child. We are celebrating 10 years of bringing hope to children around the world.