Kindness that warms the heart

Ukraine was once known as the breadbasket of Europe, and with its rich black soil and deep sea ports, it was a key exporter of wheat, corn, sunflower, and more.

The Russian invasion since 2022 has hit the agricultural sector hard. And many hard- working families on small farms – who already battled poverty before the war began – are finding it even more challenging to make ends meet. More than a third of rural Ukrainian households have experienced a significant decrease in income, and an estimated five million Ukrainians are facing food insecurity.

Viktor and Mariya live in a small village in Sarny region, Ukraine, with their seven children – and another baby on the way. In this part of western Ukraine, large families remain common, influenced by religious tradition and small-scale farming systems that rely heavily on family labour. This is a family whose life is closely tied to the land, to the fields, the livestock, and the work that requires daily devotion. Their household is simple but rich in love, unity, and faith in God.

"My husband and the father of this family is a hardworking, simple, kind and thoughtful man. He is a deacon in our church. He doesn’t have official employment, but he tries to earn money through temporary jobs to provide for the essentials: to pay for medical needs, buy clothes for the children, or everyday necessities." Mariya said.

Each of the children learns to work from an early age. The girls help their mother in the kitchen and with household chores, and boys are more involved in livestock and yardwork. Despite their busy schedules, Viktor and Mariya try to give their children a happy childhood. In the summer, they like to swim in the river and play in the yard. For them, this is the best kind of holiday.

Despite their constant hard work, the family lives at the edge of subsistence. Most of what they produce is consumed within the household, leaving little to sell for cash, while basic expenses – medical care, clothing for eight children, school supplies, and utilities – quickly exceed what occasional paid work can cover.

Mission Without Borders works with families in Sarny, helping them make positive changes and break out of poverty.

Mission family coordinator, Sergiy, said, “Viktor and Mariya’s family has been enrolled on our family sponsorship program. They’ve received various types of assistance: food, furniture, clothing, footwear, household cleaning products, and school supplies for the children. For the family, this is a huge support, as their minimum subsistence level is very low, while expenses are high.”

The children are especially delighted with the food sent by the Mission – and not only the sweets and chocolate.

Mariya said with a smile, “Our children love the Mission’s spaghetti and rice the most. They would eat it every day if they could, and it’s a real joy for them.”

Seeds of hope

A vital lifeline for the family has been their participation in the Seeds of Hope project – one of our most practical forms of support for vulnerable families and displaced people in Ukraine. As the war continues to drive food prices higher, growing vegetables and corn has become, for many families, the only way to secure enough nutritious food. While rural households have the knowledge and willingness to cultivate their land, the rising cost of seeds has made it impossible for many to plant sufficient gardens to feed their families.

Through Seeds of Hope, families receive 17 varieties of vegetable seeds—including corn, beets, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes, parsley, arugula,dill, onions, and other essential crops. With these seeds, families can grow fresh produce from early spring through autumn, preserve surplus harvests for the winter, and prepare healthy meals throughout the year.

Mission Without Borders planned to help 450 families this year, but we managed to bless as many as 600 families in Ukraine with quality, diverse seeds. This support does more than provide food. It restores self-reliance, dignity, and hope at a time when every harvest matters.

And now another important project is being prepared for Viktor and Mariya's family: agricultural machinery. The plan is to purchase a motor cultivator or even a tractor. This will make it possible to cultivate larger areas of land much more efficiently.

Thanks to Mission Without Borders, the family are going from strength to strength. Rather than becoming increasingly stuck in poverty, they are becoming stronger. Viktor and Mariya’s family is gradually building resilience. Rather than becoming increasingly trapped in poverty, they are growing stronger and more capable of securing a sustainable future.