Appeal for Donations for Ukrainian Orphans
We are writing to share one of the many stories about young Ukrainian orphans which the Salesians of Don Bosco are looking after since the outbreak of the war last February.
Andriy, a sixteen-year-old Ukrainian boy, was forced to move to Slovakia last month because of the war in his country. He left his home with forty-four other boys between the ages of ten and seventeen from the Salesian House in the town of Lviv. All of them orphans.
The tension, uncertainty and uneasiness that he is suffering these last months is leading him to ask himself many questions about his future, which now lacks hope and is rather full of darkness and pessimism.
Changing his dream of being an artist and dedicating himself to painting and the arts for something, which now seems more practical for his country, such as health care professional, security forces or the military. Although, as he says, when it’s all over, Ukrainian people will be hungry for creative energy to bring back that spark and colour back into their lives, but of course, he does not know how long this will take? What is clear now is that Andriy needs to hold firm to his dream which is beginning to falter miserably. So is his life, not only leaving behind his friends, acquaintances and his belongings, but, having to abandon all his paints, easels, brushes and his works. The creation of years of effort and happiness.
Opportunities and resources are limited for these young orphans and the situation for them is delicate. Many young Ukrainian people are in the same situation as Andriy. The Salesians of Don Bosco and the Maltese National Federation of Past Pupil and Friends of Don Bosco are organising a ten-day trip for a group of Salesian teenagers from Ukraine who are now living in Salesian Homes in Slovakia. Ten young people will enjoy a break in Malta with activities and daily English lessons for their enjoyment. Accommodation, flights and all other costs need to be covered. For this initiative, we are appealing for donations to make this initiative possible and create an unforgettable experience for these teenagers, who are now going through such a hard time. Providing them with an opportunitiy to gain some peace of mind is the most valuable gift we can offer them.
If you wish to make this holiday special for these teenagers, you may wish to sponsor this activity by giving a donation. Please support our BoscoCharity campaign for Ukrainian Orphans. More information is available on our website https://friendsofdonbosco.com/campaigns/help-ukrainian-orphans/ where you can also donate through Paypal or by a direct bank transfer:
Nat Fed of Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco
14, St John Bosco Street, Sliema
Lombard Bank, 88, St Sebastion Street, Qormi
MT75LBMA05000000000117288123404
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