Chana is a sweet 10-year-old girl who loves life.
But the first five years of her life were not so easy.
Chana was born to alcoholic parents in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. One day, her father disappeared, soon replaced by an alcoholic stepfather. It was a home of poverty and dysfunction.
Though her mother loved her, she could not care for Chana.
As a result, the Ukrainian government placed Chana into a non-Jewish orphanage at age five. Thanks to a rabbi in Kiev, she was quickly moved to the Jewish Alumim orphanage in Zhitomer.
At the orphanage, Chana finally experienced a loving and stable home. She made friends and had success in school for the first time.
Life was good… until the Russia-Ukraine war started last February.
The panicked evacuation from Ukraine and ten days of travel to Israel were difficult for Chana. Whenever she heard about Kiev being bombed, she became hysterical, fearing for her mother’s life.
Upon arriving in Israel, she cried every day for her mother, still trapped in besieged Kiev. Chana could not even reach her mother by phone because of the war.
Over the last several months, Chana has settled in. She’s doing well in school and has developed strong friendships with the other girls.
Chana’s mother moved to Israel a few months ago and now lives close to the orphanage in Ashkelon. Chana visits her mother once a week and speaks with her by phone every day.
At the same time, the orphanage staff is helping Chana’s mother find (and keep) work in Israel. They’re also supporting her efforts to clean up her life. Amazing.
10-year-old Chana’s dream is to be a professional makeup artist. She recently told us, “I want to be a stylist and help people look beautiful.”
Do you remember your childhood dreams? Who helped you achieve them?
Be one of the generous people who helps Chana and 34 other orphans achieve their dreams.
Support them with clothing, food, medical care, school supplies, extracurricular activities, and more.
Donate now to help Chana and 34 other orphans fulfill their dreams in Israel!
Ukraine Campaign- Orphanage
