Yarik

One more thing that has just come to my attention. Yarik, one of our former children, now a young man is finding life difficult and is struggling. He is a wonderful boy; he plays in the band at church. He is in college training in social work and living in a rented room. He works at night to supplement the small amount given by the government but he now has to work weekends for extra money to buy his food so he is unable to go to church. All this work still does not cover his rent and living expenses however frugal he lives. He has asked us as his only family if we can help. I am so pleased that he looks to us before things get too serious. He was always so grateful when living at Genesis House and later went to live with Lydia, our grandmother until he started college and needed to be in the city.

Yarik with foster mother Helen and grandma Lydia

Like most parents with children at university who have to help out with living expenses, food, clothes, etc. we feel this is also our responsibility especially as student loans are not available in Ukraine. Yarik being a foster child gets a very small amount from the state and due to inflation is not enough to cover even a reasonable existence. We decided to give him a monthly allowance to help him until he finishes his education and hopefully starts full time employment.