Stories from the Field

Room for Dreams and Desires to Develop for Her Future
Thursday, January 11, 2024 by Amber Schafer

Categories: Help the Children

Vera (15) participates in our partnering program, Help the Children International in Transnistria. Vera grew up in Slobozia, Transnistria. Her mother was an orphan, and her father has mental disabilities. Both parents are unemployed.

The home environment was insecure for Vera and her younger brother, Roma. Their father forced them to fish in the river to provide food for themselves. Often, they would sleep in a tent on the riverbank because they were told they could not return home without fish. He is aggressive towards his children and wife, which has affected the health of the kids. Vera often faints and has developed tachycardia. Roma is always afraid.

Vera and Roma attended the community center in their city, operated by Help the Children International. There, they received hot meals, could do homework in a calm environment, and received other necessary help.

Vera graduated this year and went to medical college to become a laboratory assistant. She now lives in the apartment at Help the Children Community Center in Tiraspol, Transnistria, and she regularly attends their mentoring program. Her health has improved--she began to eat better and smile more—giving room for dreams and desires to develop for her future.

Help the Children International is doing everything possible to support Vera and her mother and brother, to ensure their safety, secure housing, and employment, help the children get an education, and simply be present for them in these difficult circumstances.

 

About Help the Children

Help the Children International (HTCI) works in cooperation with the local government to provide social assistance and support services for orphans, vulnerable children, and families. Through assessment, mentoring, intervention, and practical assistance, HTCI endeavors to keep the family unit intact and in the home. The Help the Children International Community Centers provide safe places where vulnerable children and teens can receive hot meals, tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, and experience Christ’s love. HTCI provides monthly stipends, clothing, shelter, and educational support to ensure hope and a future for the young people of Transnistria.

 

Our Partnership with Help the Children

Summit Missions International has actively invested in the work of Help the Children International since it was founded in 2006. Our short-term teams have assisted with humanitarian and educational products, construction and repair services on homes of families at risk, and educational and recreational opportunities for HTCI children and teens.

For 30 years, Summit Missions International and our partners in Eastern Europe have worked to provide for the needs of people--especially orphans, the impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized--to deliver practical help and spiritual hope through the message of Jesus Christ.

Share This Blog:



Previous Posts

Supporting and Investing in Ministers
Amber Schafer

8/18/2025

Maybe It's True That God Loves Me
Amber Schafer

7/31/2025

A New Church Reaching Internally Displaced People in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

6/25/2025

War Weary Pastors in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

6/24/2025

Meeting Vyacheslav in Kyiv
Amber Schafer

5/13/2025

Ukrainian Refugee Students in Germany
Amber Schafer

5/5/2025

Package of Hope
Amber Schafer

4/23/2025

The Church: A Place of Help and Hope
Amber Schafer

4/17/2025

Ukraine: The Number One Task in Ministry
Amber Schafer

2/13/2025

Marina: Finding Hope in Christ After Losing Everything
Amber Schafer

1/29/2025

Maria: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Peace
Amber Schafer

12/19/2024

Yulia: I am Grateful for the Path I’m Going Through
Amber Schafer

11/14/2024

Nadezhda: Thank You for Your Support at this Difficult Time!
Amber Schafer

11/14/2024

Many Young People are Dedicating Themselves to the Service of the Lord!
Amber Schafer

11/14/2024

Julia: A Mother Grateful for God’s Goodness in Hopelessness
Amber Schafer

11/6/2024

Practical Help a Conduit for Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer

9/16/2024

Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
Amber Schafer

9/4/2024

A Ukrainian Church Plant Provides Practical Help and Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer

7/1/2024

Ministry on the Frontlines of War
Amber Schafer

6/24/2024

Reaching Ukrainian Youth with God’s Word
Amber Schafer

5/23/2024

Three Prayers
David Windham

5/20/2024

Belief Through Curiosity in the Local Church
Amber Schafer

4/30/2024

Hope Amid Destruction
Amber Schafer

2/29/2024

Ministry and Growth During War
Amber Schafer

2/28/2024

See the Smiles You Brought to Kids in Ukraine!
Amber Schafer

2/8/2024

Nelya’s Story: Lord, Have Mercy on Me!
Amber Schafer

1/15/2024

A Gift You Can Share
Amber Schafer

12/11/2023

Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Helping Those Who Have Left Occupied Territories
Amber Schafer

12/6/2023

Sharing the Bread of Life
Amber Schafer

11/29/2023

Church Growth During War in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

11/21/2023

Larisa’s Story
Amber Schafer

10/23/2023

Halyna’s Story
Amber Schafer

10/23/2023

Smiles are on the way to Ukraine!
Amber Schafer

10/12/2023

Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Growing Young Faith
Amber Schafer

9/6/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Fervent in Spirit and Serving the Lord in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

8/28/2023

Flooding in Kherson Compounds the Devastation of War
Amber Schafer

8/17/2023

Last Hope
Amber Schafer

8/11/2023

Bring Help and Smiles to Ukrainian Children
Amber Schafer

8/1/2023

Skepticism Erased
Amber Schafer

8/1/2023

Natalia's Story: Attention Drawn to God Through Difficult Circumstances
Amber Schafer

7/25/2023

Greater Sports Camp for the Gospel
Amber Schafer

7/17/2023

Simplicity and Faithfulness
Amber Schafer

7/12/2023

Mila Finds Meaning in Life
Amber Schafer

6/26/2023

Bringing Refugees Back to the Path of Hope
Amber Schafer

6/20/2023

Ukraine War Update
Amber Schafer

6/1/2023

Karina’s Family Finds Help and Friendship at a Church in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

5/30/2023

The Russian Invasion: A Catalyst for Drawing People Into a Restored and Redeemed Relationship with
Amber Schafer

5/24/2023

Simple Things Bring About Great Change for Displaced Ukrainians
Amber Schafer

5/16/2023

Like the Sun Shining in My Heart
Amber Schafer

5/8/2023

Vika Finds Hope Through Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer

3/30/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Strength to Serve
Amber Schafer

3/20/2023

A Review of Ministry in 2022
Amber Schafer

3/7/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Touching the Hearts of People
Amber Schafer

3/6/2023

A Nebraska Grandmother Helps Bring Joy to Ukrainian Refugee Children
Amber Schafer

3/1/2023

Elena Finds Hope in an Unfamiliar Place
Amber Schafer

2/22/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Salt and Light
Amber Schafer

2/16/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Thank you for your continued remembrance and support
Amber Schafer

2/9/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: We Sincerely Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve
Amber Schafer

2/2/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Precious Contributions
Amber Schafer

1/17/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: God is touching many lives through your help!
Amber Schafer

1/5/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Darker it is, the Greater the Need for Light.
Amber Schafer

1/4/2023

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: When We Care for God's Kingdom, He Cares for Us
Amber Schafer

12/19/2022

Jesus Was a Refugee Too
Amber Schafer

12/19/2022

Loving and Helping Ukrainian Refugees this Christmas
Amber Schafer

12/15/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Working Miracles
Amber Schafer

12/14/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: You Helped Us Expand Our Boundaries
Amber Schafer

12/13/2022

Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Maintaining Relationships
Amber Schafer

12/6/2022

Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Sharing Spiritual and Physical Food
Amber Schafer

11/29/2022

Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Thank You for Your Encouragement!
Amber Schafer

11/28/2022

She Saw it as a Miracle!
Amber Schafer

11/10/2022

Backpacks for Refugee Children
Amber Schafer

11/8/2022

Olga: A Refugee Sharing Faith
Amber Schafer

11/3/2022

Serving and Helping Together
Amber Schafer

10/19/2022

Zinaida and Ruslan: At First They Were Skeptical
Amber Schafer

10/5/2022

Tanya: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Support Through the Local Church
Amber Schafer

9/22/2022

Andrey: A Refugee Boy’s First Step on the Path of Spiritual Awakening
Amber Schafer

9/22/2022

Thank You for Responding to the Needs of Ukrainians
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

Zhanna: She Did Not Want to Hear Anything About the Church
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

A Refugee Family Thanks Our Partner in Transnistria
Amber Schafer

9/14/2022

Alla: This Church Has Become Like Family to Us
Amber Schafer

8/10/2022

Olena: This Is My Story!
Amber Schafer

7/27/2022

Your Support Helped Refugee, Zlata, Receive a Food Package!
Amber Schafer

7/12/2022

Katya's Family Receives Shelter and Support from Help The Children
Amber Schafer

7/7/2022

Reaching the Hearts of Children and Refugees
Amber Schafer

6/28/2022

Seeking Hope and Security
Amber Schafer

6/22/2022

Refugees Receive Care and Support
Amber Schafer

6/7/2022

Refugees Experience the Care of the Local Church
Amber Schafer

5/31/2022

Your Care Makes a Difference in Wartime
Amber Schafer

5/19/2022

Fear to Faith
Amber Schafer

5/13/2022

A Seed Planted
Amber Schafer

5/2/2022

Opening Arms to Help Hurting Neighbors from Ukraine
Amber Schafer

4/26/2022

Practical Help to Refugees of War
Amber Schafer

4/12/2022

Refuge from War is Found at Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer

4/4/2022

Helping Refugees from Ukraine Through the Help The Children Charity
Amber Schafer

3/31/2022

Transnistrian Partners Serve Like “The Good Samaritan”
Amber Schafer

3/30/2022

The Ukrainian Church is Serving in a Time of War
Amber Schafer

3/28/2022

Maybe There is a God!
Amber Schafer

3/17/2022

Help the Children is Providing Women and Children a Haven from the War
Amber Schafer

3/11/2022