Justice and Human Rights Ukraine Project #49404

Evacuating Orphans & Families, Bringing Aid

by Kidsave International

Evacuating Orphans & Families, Bringing Aid

Project Report | Apr 2, 2026
Staying Warm Through One of Winter's Coldest Months in Ukraine

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

February 2026 brought some of the harshest winter conditions southern Ukraine has experienced this season. Severe frosts and icy roads made daily life increasingly difficult, especially for families living in rural communities near the front line. As temperatures remained dangerously low, the need for reliable heating became urgent, and for many, staying warm became a daily struggle.

In these rural areas, access to basic infrastructure is limited. Many homes are not connected to gas lines or alternative heating systems and instead rely on old stoves or small wood-burning heaters, often used for both cooking and warmth. When fuel runs out, families are left with few options, sometimes burning whatever materials they can find, such as old clothes, dry grass, or scraps, just to generate temporary heat. These methods are not only ineffective but also unsafe, leaving households vulnerable during freezing conditions.

The situation is made more challenging by damaged infrastructure. Roads leading to many villages remain unpaved and have been further impacted by military activity, making it difficult for aid to reach those in need. Nearby forests, once a source of firewood, are now often contaminated with landmines, preventing residents from safely gathering fuel on their own.

In response to these urgent needs, Kidsave’s local team, with generous support from Plebian Helpers, mobilized to deliver critical heating assistance to the most vulnerable families. Fuel briquettes were distributed to households in rural communities without access to reliable heating sources, prioritizing families with children, large households, elderly individuals living alone, and those facing particularly difficult life circumstances.

Throughout February, nine trucks carrying a total of 207 tons of fuel briquettes reached seven rural communities. In total, 699 families received this life-saving support, providing them with a dependable source of heat during one of the coldest months of the year.

Behind these numbers are powerful stories of resilience. In one village, an elderly woman living alone shared that icy conditions had kept her confined to her home, and her heating supply was nearly gone before the delivery arrived. With the briquettes, she expressed relief, knowing she would now be able to safely endure the freezing temperatures.

In another community, a family with children relies on their stove almost constantly to keep their home warm. The fuel they received will allow them to maintain that warmth and provide a safer, more stable environment for their children throughout the winter. Elsewhere, a grandmother raising her grandchildren alone described how rising heating costs and extreme cold had forced the children to remain indoors most of the time. The briquettes will help ensure their home remains warm during these difficult weeks.

For many families, this assistance was not just helpful—it was essential. The fuel briquettes provided through this project became the only reliable source of heat for households facing extreme winter conditions.

Thanks to your support, nearly 700 families living in frontline rural communities were able to stay warm and safe during one of the most challenging periods of the season. Your generosity is making a tangible difference—helping children, elderly individuals, and vulnerable families endure the winter with dignity and security.

On behalf of these communities and the entire Kidsave team, thank you for making this life-saving support possible.

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Dec 5, 2025
Ukraine GlobalGiving

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

This fall has been a period defined by compassion, connection, and resilience. As families continue to navigate the difficult realities of daily life in war-affected regions, our team has worked tirelessly to bring both immediate relief and moments of peace to those who need them most. Throughout the season, 1,366 food packages were distributed, reaching 4,098 people — including 1,239 children whose faces lit up as their parents received essentials they had been waiting for.

Reaching Families Across Communities

Across villages such as Myrne, Shevchenkove, Posad-Pokrovske, Liubomyrivka, and Zasellya, our volunteers traveled long distances to make sure even the most remote families were not forgotten. More than 910 families received food, hygiene items, and support directly in their communities, while another 456 families — including displaced households from Kherson, large families, and widows of fallen defenders — came to our office for care and assistance.

Families raising children with disabilities received tailored support, ensuring they had the specialized resources they depend on. In Kobzartsi, residents were also provided warm clothing to face the cold season with dignity and comfort.

A Season Filled With Creativity and Hope

Throughout the fall, children found space to play, discover, and heal through creativity. At the Support Office, eight hands-on workshops invited kids to craft yarn kittens, autumn collages, leaf garlands, and fabric pumpkins. These activities became small but powerful reminders that healing can grow from imagination, friendship, and moments of joy.

Teen girls attending our “Girl, Shine” sessions spent time reflecting on their identity, goals, and self-worth. They left empowered, recognizing that their voices matter and their dreams are worth nurturing.

Families also received emotional support through the Smile UA Foundation. While mothers attended sessions on positive parenting and participated in an art-therapy workshop inspired by the sea, their children nearby painted their own visions of the future — colorful, safe, and full of possibility. A cheerful Pumpkin Festival later transformed our Social Center into a place of laughter and celebration, giving kids the chance to simply be kids again.

Parents, too, were supported through a workshop focused on emotional balance and confidence, helping them stay grounded as they care for their children.

Strengthening the Heart Behind the Work

Behind each food package and every youth activity is a team deeply committed to service. This fall, staff completed training to strengthen their professional and emotional resilience. A full warehouse reorganization helped streamline aid distribution, and the team continued offering individualized support to displaced people, large families, and women in crisis situations.

A Season Marked by Impact

This fall has shown, once again, the power of collective action. Thousands of people received essential support to help stabilize their lives. Children experienced joy, creativity, and connection. Parents gained tools and encouragement to support their kids through uncertainty. And our team grew even more equipped to respond with empathy and strength.

Each moment — a child proudly holding a hand-painted pumpkin, a mother painting waves of hope during an art-therapy session, a volunteer delivering a food package to a remote home — is a step toward rebuilding trust, restoring hope, and helping families envision a future filled with possibility.

Together, we are making that future brighter, one act of care at a time.

As we look ahead, your continued partnership ensures we can reach even more families, expand emotional support programs, and keep delivering lifesaving assistance where it is needed most. Thank you for standing with Ukraine’s children and families. Your compassion is making a lasting difference — today, and in the future they are still dreaming of.

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Aug 8, 2025
From Aid to Emotional Healing: What Your Support Made Possible

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

In July, Kidsave’s humanitarian team returned once again to the war-torn regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson — carrying more than food and aid. We brought presence. We brought connection. And most importantly, we brought hope.

As the war in Ukraine fades from global headlines, the reality on the ground remains devastating. Families continue to endure shelling, displacement, and the trauma of interrupted lives. For many children, the idea of a carefree summer is a distant memory. But thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we were able to bring a glimmer of joy and security back into their lives — if even just for a moment.

This month, we reached more than 1,600 families across 12 villages and towns in Mykolaiv and Kherson, delivering essential items like food, hygiene kits, and household supplies. These weren’t just deliveries — they were reminders that these families are not alone, and that someone still cares deeply about what they’re going through.

In communities like Kobzartsi, Prybuzke, and Voskresenske, where infrastructure is still recovering and access is limited, your support met families at their doorsteps.

A Focus on the Most Vulnerable

Beyond the numbers — over 1,300 children helped, 50 families with children with disabilities supported, and hundreds of displaced families reached — are faces and stories. Children who haven't played in safety for months. Mothers navigating trauma while trying to provide stability. Elderly neighbors left behind in rural towns, leaning on community aid to survive.

Together, we ensured that support was not just widespread, but deeply personal. Every package, every interaction was an opportunity to show care, to listen, and to honor their humanity.

Healing Through Connection

At our Mykolaiv Children and Family Support Center, we continued to nurture healing and connection. Throughout July, small moments became lifelines.

On July 3, a simple walk through town turned magical — children danced in fountains, played games, and laughed over warm pizza. It was a day to just be kids again.

On July 11, mothers found solace in a mental wellness session led by our partner NGO Perspektyva. One mom called it “an emotional reboot” — a rare chance to pause and be heard.

And on July 24, a creative workshop brought displaced children together for crafts, snacks, and silliness. “No one wanted to leave,” our team noted. In those hours, fear was replaced with laughter.

Moments like these don’t erase the pain — but they remind families that they still matter, and that there’s still beauty and joy to be found even in crisis.

Looking Ahead

As we continue this work, we remain committed to walking alongside those most affected: children, families living with disability, the elderly, and those still displaced. Beyond the necessities, we strive to restore what war has stripped away — dignity, trust, and human connection.

Every smile shared, every mother comforted, every child who felt safe again — it’s all because of your support.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Ukraine’s children and families. Together, we will continue to bring light in the darkest places.

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