People in Need continuous supporting families with children who have special needs

“Having two children with disabilities is a big challenge, especially in our case, living so many years in a conflict. Many medical specialists have left and it is difficult to find a doctor who can help us. Nastya can’t walk and she doesn’t speak, and Vera has mental health issues, she lives in her own world,” says the mother. 

As well as their children’s health, the parents face difficulties with access to water. The town’s water supply system was damaged by shelling a long time ago and never fully repaired; now running water is supplied only three times a week. Larisa and Pavel store water for daily use in bottles and cans and even in the bath.

“We use a lot of water, not just for cooking. Nastya can only crawl, so I do my best to keep the floor clean. I clean our small apartment every day and need cleaning products,” says Larisa.

The couple have not lost their optimism, and do everything they can to keep their daughters healthy and happy. They play games and invent activities for Vera and Nastya to develop their skills. To support the family, People in Need with funding from the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund provides them with vouchers to buy the most essential things.

“We are happy that we have not been left alone in this difficult time, and we get some much-needed assistance. I used the voucher to buy cleaning products, washing powder, feminine hygiene products and other hygiene items,” says Larisa.