Tragically, we know that orphans and vulnerable children and families will be impacted the hardest by this crisis. As conflicts continue the need to safely evacuate, care for, and provide for the orphans and vulnerable children and families of Ukraine is greater than ever before!
Over thirteen years ago, A Family for Every Orphan began serving vulnerable children and families in Ukraine. Today, we have a dozen Christian partners spread across the country that are providing emergency relief services to thousands of children and families in Ukraine, while ministering to their spiritual needs.
Our partners in Ukraine are working tirelessly to evacuate these children to safety in the west and across the border, ensure food and necessities are provided, and minister to and help vulnerable children and families who stayed behind. This vital work cannot be done without your support!
Evacuate orphans to safety
Provide food, shelter, medicine and necessities to children and families
Provide refugee support to orphans and families fleeing to Romania
Provide trauma care to vulnerable children and families
"Show your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
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Our partners in Ukraine are begging us to continue praying with them for the troops remaining at the Azovstal iron and steel works in Mariupol.
Kharkiv is Ukraine’s second largest city. The relentless shelling there is an continual threat to everyone within its borders. Late last month, 79-year-old Victor Gubarev,
Kateryna* and her husband own a bakery in a small village in Eastern Ukraine. Their village is often heavily shelled. Yet they continue to work
As the war in Ukraine continues into its second month, we are aware that the casualties of war are not only those killed or maimed,
Assistance to Ukraine comes in many forms—material supplies, caregiving, evacuation, psychological support to name a few. And the toll it takes on those providing it
For the past five weeks, we have all watched as children and families in Ukraine have faced relentless violence, been displaced, and have lost their
A critical result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is that many Ukrainian families—and orphans—have become hostages of war. The continual shelling has created widespread lack
Last week UNICEF announced that more than half of Ukraine’s children have been displaced since Russia began its invasion February 24. This includes more than
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNkLgx6WDIM The war continues on with damage and death tolls rising. Combat hot spots are only increasing with danger and cities like Maripol are unrecognizable
Our hearts break as, from a distance, we watch the decimation in Mariupol. But in the midst of the devastation, a team of courageous and
According to figures released by UNICEF, children account for about half of the more than 3 million people who have fled the Russian bombardment of
When the war started, Ukraine had over 100,000 orphans. Our priority is getting these precious orphans, and other vulnerable children and families to safety. One of
The situation in Ukraine continues to be hazardous for vast numbers of people of all ages in the war zone as well as adjacent areas. War has the greatest impact on the most vulnerable that we serve – orphans. In the past decade, a remarkable collaborative among A Family For Every Orphan (AFFEO) partners, social service, and religious groups dramatically reduced the number of adoptable orphans—from approximately 30,000 to 5,000 through placement in foster and adoptive families. However, continued economic dislocations before the war led to nearly 100,000 “social orphans,” who are children with parents or guardians who retain parental rights but are unable to care for them. Tragically, we know war creates orphans and there are thousands more today.
AFFEO’s campaign with partner organizations to evacuate substantial numbers of orphans and vulnerable children to safe havens farther west resulted in the successful relocation of many thousands of children and caregivers. Relief from the US and other international relief agencies is supporting refugees in border countries, but it is estimated that at least half of Ukraine’s orphans remain inside country. They, along with others who are displaced and no longer receive salaries and income amidst the chaos, are heavily dependent on food relief.
The situation is dynamic throughout the country and especially in areas bordering the eastern war zone. AFFEO’s “Operation Harvest Hope” is a highly streamlined effort involving experienced partners with whom we have worked for many years. Funds received through Operation Harvest Hope are securely and directly sent to several Ukraine-based groups that operate bakeries, coffee houses, and other facilities serving orphanages, vulnerable children, and families in need.
One of our AFFEO inspirations, the late Rev. Peter Deyneka, Jr., once gave a talk about the “anonymous heroes” of the Bible—Naaman’s servant girl who told her master to bathe in the muddy waters of the Jordan River (II Kings 5—“Tell what you know”), the lad with five loaves and two fishes that miraculously fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14—“Share what you have”), and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10—”Do what you can”). We don’t know their names, but their selfless service made a world of difference to those in need.
In March, Richland, Washington, sixth grader Rachel, a former orphan from Sierra Leone, decided to sell eight berets she crocheted to help the orphans of Ukraine. She set up a table in front of a bakery—which was donating bread sales, and in one hour Rachel had sold them all. Generous passers-by also dropped off checks and dollars to support the cause. So, whether Rachel’s $3,500 Saturday or $3.50 from a lemonade stand, it will all make a difference to those who struggle daily to make ends meet and build better lives in a free Ukraine. “Tell what you know, share what you have, do what you can.”
