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In western Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region that borders Hungary, St. Michael’s Center for Medical and Social Rehabilitation of Children has been accepting 15 to 20 disabled children per day to offer several rehabilitation programs. AMDA has been aiding St. Michael’s by shouldering some of its essential running costs such as fuel expenses, doing what it can to support local communities through the center. This assistance has so far allowed two cancer patients, who had difficulty affording medical bills, to receive medicines.
Although the region is said to be relatively safe, the extent of the ongoing humanitarian crisis has been visible. Planned outages have continued for quite some time, even though the central heating system is crucial during the winter season. This time, Ukraine experienced one of its coldest winters in recent years, with temperatures dipping to around minus 20 degrees Celsius. Even so, there were days when power was available for only two hours a day, forcing people to rely on generators. However, because generators require a large amount of fuel, the fuel costs became a heavy burden on the center’s finances. As a result, the center had to suspend some of its rehabilitation programs, including aquatic therapy held at its indoor swimming pool.
Meanwhile, a candle-making event was organized by the facility staff and mothers to entertain the children persevering through this ordeal. Bringing everyone closer together, the gathering helped children immerse themselves in the activity and share with others what they had gone through.
Likewise, an event to celebrate Christmas and a carnival were held for children at the “Children’s House,” also run by St. Michael’s. Accommodating 25 children from all parts of Ukraine, the facility is a foster home for those who had to take shelter for various reasons, often associated with traumatic experiences. While living with their foster parents, the children receive continuous support from the facility to recover from emotional struggles, and such events help them ease their mental suffering.
Not knowing how this conflict will end, many have voiced concerns about looming uncertainty, while the passing of close ones is no longer considered unusual news. Amid such trying times, children at St. Michael’s are continuing to do their best every day to triumph over their ailments.