One more family has received gifts, thanks to our project “Light Up Children’s Lives” in collaboration with PrivatBank

Natalia, from Kamyanske, was expecting her fifth child when a full-scale war erupted.
She was due to give birth in a month, and her husband Roman urged her to go to a safer place. However, Natalia didn’t want to leave her husband without support. After all, Roman, who was a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), willingly went to the front lines in the early days of the Russian invasion.

Due to the presence of the Armed Forces, there were no combat actions in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, allowing Roman to share the joy of their son’s birth with his wife. However, shortly after, Roman was deployed to the Donetsk front. After five months of strenuous combat, Natalia received the devastating news of her husband’s death. In September 2022, a Russian rocket claimed Roman’s life, along with six of his comrades: Heroes from Kamianske.

“It’s been almost a year and a half, and the pain is still overwhelming. If it weren’t the children, I don’t know how I would have coped. I realized I had to be strong for them, for Roma’s bright memory,” shared Natalia.

The children also struggle with their father’s absence, cherishing the special bond they had with him, engaging in various activities together. The older children — Nazar, Olia, and Sviatoslav — often reminisce about events and trips with their dad, still imagining what they could do if he were here.

Fortunately, Natalia’s children continue to dream, serving as motivation for the entire family to move forward. Twelve-year-old Nazar is passionate about cooking and dreams of owning a bakery. Ten-year-old Olia aspires to be a designer, fueled by her love for drawing. Seven-year-old Svyatoslav has nurtured a dream of becoming a builder since his early years.

Natalia mentioned that the children were impressed with our ‘safety and development’ gifts, especially the tablets. These gadgets already assist them in mastering school knowledge, pursuing their hobbies, and gradually realizing their dreams.