Life was very hard for the two Kratkii brothers. The boy's fathers are unknown, for they were the result of their mother's lifestyle. She lived in a smoke filled, dirty hovel with her constant companion, the bottle. Yes, she was an alcoholic. Dennis, the older boy, went to school as much as he could but at the same time took care of 3 yr. old Andrii. As the mother drank away any money she had, the boys were constantly hungry. She could be out of the house for a week, or even two, leaving the children home alone.
Once, at Christmas, Dennis decided to earn some food. He took a sack and went from door to door singing Christmas carols. Good people gave him some bread, lard, eggs, and produce. That happy boy brought home half a sack full of food. When he opened the door of his home, he saw his mom drinking with strangers. When these men saw the food in his hands, they snatched it from him. They beat him, and sent him out in the biting cold - hungry!
That night the principal of his school could not sleep. It seemed to her as if she heard somebody's dog howling. "That's probably a poor, cold dog," she thought. In spite of the weather, the tenderhearted woman went out in the dark to rescue it. Imagine her shock when she discovered not a dog, but writhing in despair at her gate, one of her pupils. She took him inside and warmed him up. Surely, if Dennis had stayed out just a little longer he would have frozen to death. She kept him warm for the night and the following morning went to visit Natalia, the child's irresponsible mother.
However, she found only 3 yr. old Andrii, sleeping peacefully in his crib. She picked up the child and returned to her home where she looked after the boys awaiting the mother's return. Her kind actions had now saved Dennis from hypothermia and Andrii from starvation, for it was not until two weeks had passed that the mother returned home.
Later, the authorities sent the children to the Cherkassy Rescue Shelter, but now they have a new life with Pastor Vladimir Kuzin, of First Baptist Church, Cherkassy. He and his wife, Larissa, have already rescued 5 children supported by Hope Now, in addition to their own 3 sons.
Dennis has a fine voice and sings in the church. Today they are happy, thriving children, but they, like many other Hope Now sponsored children need partners like you to assist the Kuzins financially with their ten children at home. Your donations to the General Fund help children like Dennis and Andrii and foster parents like the Kuzins.
I was born on April 29, 1993 and the earliest memories I have are of
life in kindergarten in Kaniv along with other orphans such as my
brother Vlad and another boy, Anatolii and two more girls. All five of
us were transferred to an orphanage in Uman.
At the beginning of April, we rejoice again with the message and
celebration of Easter's resurrection. As spring bursts and cheers the
heart after a long hard winter, for the Christian, the cruelty of the
cross gives way to meaning, salvation, and hope for the future.
Last summer I spent a week at Kompas Park at a children's summer camp.
I'd like to share with you three instances which shaped my memories and
challenged my expectations.
You have no doubt seen the news that Viktor Yanukovych was victorious
over Yulia Tymoshenko in the Ukrainian presidential election in Feb.
The former president, Viktor Yushchenko was battered in the first round
with only 5% of the popular vote.
