How child sponsorship is helping Maksym find hope and belonging after fleeing war

From normal life to wartime fear

The carefree joy of childhood ended far too soon for Maksym, now age 10.

He was just six when war reached his village in Ukraine’s Kherson region. At the time he was going to kindergarten and loved playing with his little sister Viktoria.

“There were lots of soldiers and they were always armed. They made everything feel scary,” Maksym said. “We were scared to go outside, scared that shooting would start.”

Maksym remembers how his family hid in the basement at first and then had to flee as the attacks intensified. They took only a few belongings and their family photographs. Their home was later looted and heavily damaged.

“I hoped we’d go back soon, but now I understand that we might never go back,” he said.

Transition and trauma

For now, the family have settled in western Ukraine, near Mizoch. They have actively taken up farming, clearing land that had been overgrown for many years, planting vegetables, and caring for fruit trees.

Maksym continues to face challenges that many children affected by war carry long after they have reached safety. Since leaving his home in the Kherson region, he has struggled to build close friendships and still dreams of having true friends with whom he can share his thoughts, adventures, and everyday life.

Adjusting to a new school was not easy. As a displaced child from another region of Ukraine, Maksym faced difficulties in his studies and occasionally experienced prejudice and misunderstanding from others. The transition to a completely new environment, combined with the trauma of war and displacement, made it difficult for him to feel that he truly belonged.

A safe place to belong

For Maksym and his family, a local church has become a lifeline. Supported by Mission Without Borders, the church has a special ministry is devoted to supporting displaced families and helping them integrate into the local community.

Maksym is also part of Mission Without Borders’ child sponsorship programme, giving him and his family regular material, educational and emotional support. This support is helping him form new friendships, grow in confidence and find a sense of belonging in his new community.

Maksym and his sister feed the ducks.

This summer, Maksym and Viktoria are excited at the opportunity to attend a Mission summer camp, where they will have the chance to take part in lots of fun activities, learn new things and create joyful memories.

Through the partnership between Mission Without Borders and local churches, children like Maksym are given more than practical help – they are given a safe place to belong, grow in faith and look towards a brighter future. Your support can help more children move from trauma to hope. Sponsor a child today.