August 2024 – The Hearts of Love Center stays open despite explosions and war. Older kids who have aged out still come and parents are grateful as there is nowhere else to go.
Our UK director Peter Wooding writes this newsletter and shares the heart-wrenching story of Inna and her son Dima. Dima attends Hearts of Love, our special needs children’s center in Konotop, Ukraine, near to the Russian border. We will report more about our camps in another newsletter. Thank you so much for your prayers and support this summer. There is much fruit for the kingdom of God because of your partnership and trust. Thanks again. (Jeff)
As we gathered in a classroom with mothers of the children who come to the Hearts of Love Center, we listened to constant air raid sirens nearby. We were alarmed, but this is a daily occurrence for the families in Konotop. With sirens in the background, the staff calmly takes the children into a corridor away from nearby windows. They huddle
together on the floor in a corner. They do not have a bomb shelter. This is the safest spot in the building and they do all they can to keep the kids calm.
Explosions Nearby
Upon arrival, they told us that there had been nearby explosions just minutes before. Yet in the midst of this, these determined parents tell us they proudly choose to remain in Konotop and that they will one day see victory.
A Second Home
“This is our second home,” a mother shared. Her passion was palpable. “This is our only hope, our only chance to see any kind of breakthrough for our kids. The schools gave up on them.”
As we laughed and cried together hearing their stories, I noticed one boy Dima, who has severe autism, is now much taller than his mother Inna. He is 18 years old, weighs over 200 lbs, and towers above her.
The Director Lena Remembers Meeting Dima
“When Dima first came to the center, he was an extremely nervous and timid little 3-year-old boy. It was almost impossible to separate him from his mother. It took us some time to get him to let her go out without him even for 10-15 minutes. Inna could not go anywhere without him. He would scream and attack others out of frustration, so we were searching for different ways to soothe and distract him,” Lena shared.
“Eventually a moment came when Dima waved her ‘good-bye’ and closed the door. We were all so excited. As our work progressed, Dima was never able to fully understand speech. At about 7 years old, we taught him to imitate actions which was a huge help in his communication development.”
Over 15 Years of Hard Work Has Paid Off
“He learned to adapt to noisy spaces, to behave around groups of different people, and to visit shops in public,” Lena said. “Inna even brought him to our camp in the Carpathians. He has learned some basic skills in self-care and does 
some work at home like putting things away and helping cook the dinner.”
Dima’s Parents Were Divorced
Dima and his mother Inna live alone as she divorced her husband several years ago. Dima does not understand spoken words and his behavior is challenging. His father helped support the family but that stopped in February when Dima turned 18. Inna receives a little social welfare support, but it is not enough.
Keeping Kids Like Dima Out of An Institution
Lena continues, “Dima keeps coming to us because no school can take him. He would either sit at home or be placed in an institution. We don’t want that. We know him. When Dima comes to the center it gives Inna a break, a bit of a rest to do shopping or work,” she said.
“I would be completely lost without the center,” Inna said.
“We live alone. I have nobody to watch him, even for a short time. I cannot go to a doctor or just have a break. Sometimes he refuses to leave the house. I can’t force him because he is so big and strong. When he stays at home for too long he loses the communication skills that took so long to teach him. He becomes more closed and aggressive. Lena and the team at Hearts of Love are literally life-changing for me. I am not exaggerating.”
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