May 2023 Update

 

Friends, family, kind strangers – you know the drill... it has now been 447 days since R*ssia’s invasion and the start of full-scale w*r in Ukraine. It’s been 470 days since I arrived here, hoping to make an impact. ** please do not share anything from this letter publicly without my permission.

This newsletter is going to be a bit different than my usual update. In this letter, I hope to better explain the Ukrainian Orphan Crisis – which could be more accurately described as the Ukrainian Family Preservation Crisis. It's important to understand why I moved here to begin with...

Around the world, there are an estimated 153 million+ vulnerable children either in orphanages, foster care, or on the streets. In Ukraine, with a total population of 43,734,000 people, there were estimated to be 110,000+ children in state-run orphanages before the full-scale invasion. The numbers today would be hard to track as so many of these children have either been internally displaced or are living as refugees in other countries.  These large institutions are highly problematic. It has to be understood that often times state-run orphanages provide the bare minimum of care. The children have meals and shelter provided but lack intentional care, love, and individualized attention. Children commonly develop attachment disorders and other social and psychological disabilities. And too often spend years, if not their entire childhood, in an institution because of a lack of advocacy.

Why are so many of these children not available for adoption? The term “Social Orphan” is used to describe children who have at least one living parent or an extended family member who still has parental or guardian rights. These children may have been placed in the institution by the family or by the government due to things like poverty, neglect, abuse, or several other “social” issues.  Ideally, the biological family would take the steps required for reunification.  Ideally, the social services would work with the biological family so they know their rights and requirements.  Ideally, the rights of the biological family would be surrendered if they do not pursue reunification.  Ideally, these children would have the chance to be adopted if they cannot return home.  Ideally. But let's talk about the reality. The reality is that most families don’t know or understand their rights to their child(ren). The reality is that often times the families are lied to or convinced that the child is better off in the institution.  The reality is that if the steps for reunification aren’t taken, it can take YEARS for a child to gain the status required for adoption.  The reality is that many of these children will remain in limbo – not going home, not getting adopted – until they age out of the system and are no longer the government’s problem.

These children remain incredibly vulnerable within the crisis centers, temporary shelters, and orphanages they find themselves in once removed from their families. The system is far from a safe haven, with stories of sexual exploitation and abuse all too common.  This sounds like harsh criticism because it is. There is immense brokenness in the Ukrainian Orphan Care System. Sure, there are policies in place that are supposed to protect against this happening – but there is such a lack of accountability that thousands of children are falling through the cracks.  The ones who age out of the system are not set up for success. In Ukraine, 10-15% of the children who age out of the system die by suicide before they reach age eighteen, and somewhere between 60-70% of Ukrainian orphans quickly become involved in prostitution or other organized crime. Less than one percent make it to a university or higher education. The reports are disturbing, there is no way around it.  There is, on average, one child with disabilities dying every 3 months due to lack of medical treatment, some reports indicate this is as frequent as every 3 days. And countless cases where a child is surrendered to a state institution simply because of a disability. If your heart breaks at these words and numbers – me too.

M is one of the thousands of children who are stuck in the limbo of a broken system.

I understand that Ukraine is fighting for its life. We are wildly lacking the resources for massive reform in the system, I’m not ignorant of that. But also, what a time in history for Ukraine to stand up and take responsibility for its most vulnerable. I dream and hope and pray and work for better for the children of Ukraine. Please join us. Please pray for these children, this system they are stuck in, and those of us trying to do better. If you can, financially support this mission which seeks to support the reunification of families and provide consistent visitation and mentorship for children in the orphanages. Help us support the kids who are aging out and soon will need to survive in a world that seems to be even crueler than the one they’ve known. Please don’t read this and let it break your heart for a moment. Pray on it, tell people, and ask how you can serve the vulnerable children in your community because I promise, this issue isn't unique to Ukraine.

If you are a financial supporter here, thank you! And here is a reminder of where that support goes: My availability – while I do work part-time outside of ministry, your support allows me to focus the rest of my time on my work with the children and with local organizations. Supporting the local orphanages – may it be diapers, food, educational supplies, or any other needs that come up (like a generator), your support allows me to meet the needs at the local orphanages.  Supporting at-risk or displaced families – this year we have been able to support families here in this region, as well as those who live in occupied areas or have evacuated their homes. I hope to continue to help these families as much as possible as the need is ever-present.  I'll soon share more about a large project I am working on and how you can get involved – I hope to share in my next newsletter, so keep an eye out! It's very very exciting! I hope that this newsletter gives you some more perspective behind why I am in Ukraine and how your support – be it prayer, encouragement, or donations – makes an impact.  Be sure to follow me on Instagram here for day-to-day updates! Thank you, thank you, thank you! With love, Lina