Happy Home Update (May 2024)

Bogdanka

The war in Ukraine is getting worse and we continue to go to the bomb shelter with our children. But at the same time, we live, serve and never stop dreaming. God helps us every day and every second. Our children adapt, change and grow. It fills our hearts with hope and joy. We believe, we are under God's protection and this faith enables us to move on.

We admire successes of our children in rehabilitation. Bogdanka is getting stronger and can move better on her own with the help of a walker.

---

Sofia

Sofia is also making good progress. Physically, she is steadily catching up with her age. Mentally, she is still a mystery to us in many ways. The diagnosis of deafness was recently confirmed and there is lots of work ahead of us. We  really hope that it will be possible to give her implants so that our girl would be able to hear. Now Sofia is getting additional medical tests; she receives treatment she needs. Please pray for her, since free implants are not provided in Ukraine yet and paid implants are very expensive and go beyond our means. There is hope that ORL clinics will be able to draw up the necessary contracts and receive free implants.

---

We also had some sad news. In February our Arkasha went to the Lord. It was a difficult time for us. We probably had to go through this experience in order to trust the Lord more and better understand  that He is in control of everything. Before it happened, we spent much time in hospitals with him and each time the doctors told us: “Be ready, in his condition he can pass away any moment”... But we believed that he could still be treated and cured... However, God has shown again, that “your ways are not My ways, and your plans are not My plans.” We continue to be sad and miss Arkasha.

---

Just a week ago we celebrated God’s victory again - our Darinka has gotten dad and mom. It's such a joy when a child finds a family! After all, this is God's plan.

Our Yurchik broke his leg and spent a month in a cast. Given to his restless nature, it was not an easy task. Doctors recommended not to put full weight on the leg for another month. This period is already coming to an end, and we hope that he will soon return to his normal life - will be able to run and jump, and go to kindergarten.

One of our goals is to change people's attitude and make our society more inclusive, so that our children would be received as well as others.  And the fact that Kolya and Nikita go to school on their own is a victory! We literally had to fight for it. Both the school director and  teachers had an idea that our boys had to be driven by the hand everywhere. But we insisted and now the school leadership  is ready to accept the inclusive program for Vika with Bogdanka, who will start going to school next year.
​

We have new addition! In March, Happy Home received little Victoria (she has Down syndrome). We call her Tori because this is second Victoria (victory) in our home. Tori is one and a half years old.The time she spent in orphanage affected her physical and mental development. Her muscles are very weak. But there is a significant success during the month she spent with us. Her physiotherapist and rehabilitologist admire her results.Tori is like our “sun”. We undderstand that she needs many hugs and try to meet her needs - we hug and kiss her, carry her in our arms. In response, she gives a lot of joy and light.

---

It was our long-standing dream to have a dog-therapist in Happy Home. And finally we received a  wonderful puppy as a gift! There is a team of dog handlers who agreed to work with our dog (we called him Happy). They said he would make a good therapeutic dog. Kolya and Nikita are happy to play with Happy but the dog prefers Tori, whom he licks and lies next to every day. He probably feels Tori's special need for affection. There is another addition - a parrot that adds care and joy to the children.
​

---

Our dream for every region in Ukraine to have a place similar to Happy Home becomes a reality! We've miraculously found and purchased a house in the city of Rivne. We have support of local authorities and a team of specialists/rehabilitologists is almost ready to work with children. We just need to repair the house. We are moving on with God's help.

Our dear friends! None of this would be possible without your help and support. We especially appreciate your care in these difficult times. Again and again, we thank you!

May the Lord bless you!

We always need your prayers! And we invite you to come for a visit. We will be happy to hug and thank you personally!

With love,
Happy Home​