A DM, A Flight, and A Mission: World Orphan Fund Arrives in Ukraine

Sometimes, help arrives at the speed of a simple message. Just a few days ago, while our team was driving to the border for another supply run, Zhanna came across an ad from The World Orphan Fund. They were looking for a way to get involved in Ukraine. She sent a direct message, a connection was made, and incredibly, just days later, their team was on a plane.

Through this simple digital interaction, something magical has sprouted.

The Mission: Witnessing the Reality The objective of this trip was clear: immediate exposure. We wanted to bring the World Orphan Fund team directly to the ground to diagnose the problems, understand the trauma children are facing, and figure out exactly how we can work together to fill the gaps.

They flew into Suceava airport in Romania, where we picked them up. But we knew we couldn’t show up empty-handed. Before crossing back, we made a stop at a local hypermarket to load up on hygiene products, children's clothes, underwear, small toys, and food. In a system where the monthly budget for institutional care can be as low as $100 per child, every single toothbrush, pair of socks, or snack makes a tangible difference.

Day 1: A Spectrum of Need Our first day was a marathon through the diverse landscape of child welfare during wartime. We began at an orphanage caring for the youngest and most vulnerable—children ages 0-5.

From there, we visited a summer camp that had been hastily converted into a care facility for families evacuated from the east. Many of these children have witnessed the unthinkable—the death of parents, friends, and caretakers. This camp, once a place for leisure, had suddenly become a shelter for the traumatized.

We also stopped at the Mahala Institution for disabled children. This was arguably the most impactful visit of the trip. The facility was dilapidated, dimly lit, and pushed beyond its breaking point by the influx of evacuees. Witnessing the severe understaffing and the immobile children living in silence was incredibly heavy, moving our team to tears and highlighting just how deep the needs run for Ukraine's invisible children.

We continued to a pre-existing institutional orphanage for children ages 5-18, home to many "social orphans"—children abandoned by their living parents. We closed the long day in Chernivtsi, meeting with local psychologists to map out the mental health landscape and the crushing need for trauma support.

Day 2: Expanding the Perspective Today, we visited the local city orphanage in Chernivtsi (ages 5+). The population here is a mix of social orphans and new arrivals evacuated from the front lines. We distributed the toys and clothes we bought, offering a brief moment of normalcy in an abnormal time.

We wrapped up the trip with another session with a different group of psychologists to further expand our perspectives on the necessary interventions.

Looking Ahead The goal of this visit wasn’t just to deliver supplies; it was to open eyes. By exposing our partners to the raw challenges and the local solutions currently in play, we hope to empower them to inject assistance—whether through capital, specialized knowledge, or strategic support—where it counts the most.

Thank you, World Orphan Fund, for answering the call, getting on the plane, and joining us in the effort to support Ukraine’s children.