Delivered: Warmth and Hope for Visually Impaired Children at Kharkiv Orphanage

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, the I Will Association received an urgent call for help from the Kharkiv Orphanage, home to 217 children aged 6 to 16 with varying levels of visual impairment. Most of the children live far below the poverty line, relying on the orphanage’s dedicated teachers and caretakers for education, rehabilitation, and social development.

This year, our focus was on helping those who needed it most — children without parents or relatives, and those with vision ranging from 0% to 30% sight. They were in need of the most basic necessities — winter coats, boots, sweaters, scarves, mittens, socks, pants, dresses, and even underwear.

Thanks to the incredible initiative of Dima Skorikov, our passionate volunteer Olga Riabinina, and the support of the orphanage principal Alexander Belousov, we created a detailed list of needs for each child. Beginning in December and continuing through January, Olga personally took the children shopping one by one, helping them choose items that fit perfectly. For many, it was their first-ever chance to pick out their own clothes — a simple but deeply meaningful experience.

One unforgettable moment came when six-year-old Oleg Alekseev, completely blind and without family, held up his new t-shirt and asked Olga to describe what was painted on it. It was a tender reminder of why this work matters so much.

With your donations and the help of Dima Skorikov and his friends, we were able to deliver warm winter clothing for all the children just in time for the New Year — truly gifts from Santa that filled their hearts with joy. Additional scarves, socks, mittens, and other goods were sent by our generous supporter Tara MacIntosh, her family, and friends in Canada.

Because of your kindness, every child received warmth, comfort, and the special attention they could only dream of. You made this project a success and reminded these children that they are seen, loved, and never forgotten.

💙 Thank you from the bottom of our hearts — your generosity continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of Ukraine’s children.

Oleg Alekeev, Age 6

Oleg Alekeev, Age 6

Six-year-old Oleg Alekseev, who is completely blind and has no parents or relatives, received his first new t-shirt. He asked volunteer, to describe what was painted on it. That simple question touched everyone’s hearts and reminded us why these moments matter so deeply.

Kids Are Thankful For Your Generosity!

In these photos you will see some kids posing in their new beautiful jackets and coats, sweaters, jeans and boots.

The names of kids who were outfited in cool new clothes. More kids in the orphanage have also received complementary I Will T-shirts.

  • Svirkach Roma, vision 10% (only light sensitivity), 9 years

  • Vazhnicheva Vera, vision 20%, 9 years

  • Alekseev Oleg, vision 0%, 6 years

  • Otroshko Andrey, vision 10%, 8 years

  • Savchenko Valeria, vision 30%, 13 years

  • Berchenko Yulia, vision 20%, 13 years

  • Sharkadi Tania, vision 0%, 11 years

  • Begal Ivan, vision 20%, 13 years

  • Tkachenko Viktoria, vision 35%, 13 years

  • Shevchenko Yulia, vision 20%, 13 years

  • Shevchenko Ira, vision 20%, 11 years

  • Moskalets Tolik, vision 30%, 13 years, has disabled farther

  • Medveduk Sasha, vision 10-30%, 14 years

  • Ruban Yana, vision 0%, 17 years

  • Skibin Igor, vision 10%, 17 years

  • Skibina Alena, vision in one eye – 20%, 18 years

  • Datskaya Tania, vision 20%, 18 years

  • Sidorenko Ivan, vision 0%, 17 years