The Story That Gives You a Hope

When we met her for the first time, it was a warm day in June 2023, we were in Lviv, and at the end of the day, we went to visit the children in the institution to spend time with them, bring ice cream and ask caregivers about their needs. When she entered the room, her head was lowered and she watched us shyly. Realizing that she was one of the new ones at the institution, we waited until she felt comfortable with us so that we could learn more about her story.

But the first thing that caught our eye was the condition of her skin. She was all red, there were little white blisters on her face, and she itched constantly. Our CEO, Nataliya Vyetrova was looking at the teachers with a question on the eyes. They caught her interest in this girl and said: "Ms. Nataliya, help her"

Her name is Andriana, and she is 18 years old, although she does not look her age because of her physical and mental retardation. Andriana spent many years in various orphanages, and this institution was the last institution before getting a passport and starting to live her adult life. Suffering for years of incurable skin disease, a lot of pain, and despair created her acceptance to live with pain. 

The girl came up to Nataliya and started showing her her drawings. They were very beautiful and full of love for God. There was a lot of desire to live in her eyes. After spending time with her, we realized that we could not leave her in this state. We must help her with treatment and support.

Whatever After the first meeting, there were many more meetings, genetic tests, treatments, hospitals, tears, and losses. Also, constant bureaucratic problems, given that she was under the supervision of social services, prevented us from helping effectively. Sometimes we lost hope that we could help this little girl, but our faith and good people made miracles.

One day, having so much pain from her wounds, Andriana told me "It is better to kill me than to cure me." At that moment, I looked at her and felt how much pain this child had experienced in her life. She was tired and despaired of the fact that there were people who cared for her, took care of her, and loved her. She said that no one wanted her, that her mother gave her up because of her illness, and that she would never be able to be normal.

But we did not break. We tried our best to put a smile back on her face. After spending a month in a hospital in Lviv, the doctors did everything possible to give her the love she so desperately needed. We provided Andriana with everything: clothes, medicine, food, games. She has never received so much warm hugs and love. Seeing a child happy is our most valuable result.

We continue to care for her and keep her illness under control. if you love children and care for them who need the most they will give you twice as much.

This is a small story of the miracle we do together. Our organization cares about children and tries to provide maximum help to improve the lives of these angels.