Firewood Delivered to Families in Kherson
Families in Kherson Provided Firewood by UCAF Donors
Winter in Ukraine is brutally cold, especially for families already enduring the hardship of war.
In regions like Kherson, freezing temperatures, limited access to fuel, and ongoing shelling create dangerous conditions for children and parents. Most homes are heated using potbelly stoves, fueled by firewood, briquettes, or anything that can burn. But firewood is scarce, and the winter months from November through March are long and harsh.
Unheated homes are more than uncomfortable. They are a serious risk to children’s health. Without access to steady income or any savings, many families are unable to afford fuel. The war has made regular employment nearly impossible, leaving parents without options to keep their children warm and safe.
In 2023, donor support made it possible to purchase a full truckload of briquettes for families in Kherson. This supply provided enough fuel to heat the homes of more than 80 families, helping over 300 children survive through winter. Our local partners are ready to do it again, but they cannot do it alone.
Your support can help provide warmth to families facing another freezing season. Even one donation can help deliver firewood or briquettes to a home in need.
Click here to donate and help keep families in Kherson warm this winter
A Message from Eugene Bondarenko in Ukraine
Yevheniy (Eugene) Bondarenko is our trusted liaison in Ukraine to receive the funds and to ensure they are used exclusively to purchase and distribute life-saving briquettes to needy families with children in Kherson, Ukraine. Following are some examples of what he witnessed while distributing these briquettes from village to village:
“I wanted to share some examples of families who received these briquettes. I remember one couple – people who were not healthy – this family couldn’t afford to make fire in their fireplace. They were walking around, in the fields, trying to collect little branches to start a fire at least for a little bit not to freeze to death. This family had no money for life. And when we found out about their need, we came and gave them some briquettes. They had tears in their eyes. They were so thankful. They were able not to just be warm, but to survive that harsh winter. This is what would stay in their hearts – that at the time of need Christians came, prayed and helped them in their need.
I am reminded of the pregnant lady. Her husband is fighting on the battlefield. And she had two more children at home. So, we gave her this help. Now, her baby is born. And they lived in winter in a warm house. And they are so thankful for the help in the name of Christ that we could provide. And when we distribute them, we always pray, we always say that it is from Christian people all over the world, from you. In this way it’s not only for the body, but also for the soul.
When we were unloading these briquettes, we were met by families with 5-6-7 children – children who were barefoot. Those families had no money even to dress their children, to buy them shoes. With tears in our eyes, we had an opportunity to serve these families. We were giving them the briquettes and sharing with them Christian literature, New Testaments, and financial help when we could.”
