The Struggle to Save Ukraine’s Children on the Front

Families attend a Christmas party hosted by humanitarian aid organizations Dobra Spava and Love UA at a former community center in the city of Druzhkivka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Image courtesy of David Kirichenko: David Kirichenko

In a powerful new report from Kyiv Post, journalist David Kirichenko takes readers inside the harsh reality facing Ukraine's most vulnerable civilians—children living on the front lines.

The article highlights our partner Sveta Hrekova's shelter in Druzhkivka, offering temporary refuge for families with children just 11 miles from combat. Since June 2024, we have been the primary supporter, transforming a former community center into a 200-bed shelter with winterization, generators, heating, and plumbing.

While the article highlights the vital work of Ukrainian organizations Dobra Sprava and LOVE UA in organizing holiday celebrations for the children, it's our ongoing day-to-day funding and material support that keeps this shelter operational, providing families with meals, medical care, psychological support, and a safe haven before they can be relocated further from the danger zone. [Read the full article here] to understand the critical challenges these brave volunteers face in protecting Ukraine's children and why facilities like our partner shelter represent a lifeline for families caught between their attachment to home and the urgent need for safety.