Orphan's Promise Helping War Weary Ukrainians

In the war zone of eastern Ukraine, life has come to a standstill. Everything has stopped working: hospitals, schools, factories, mines and shops.

Along Ukraine's border with Russia, buildings riddled with bullet holes, tanks rolling down highways, and heavily fortified checkpoints are common sights.

These people spend hours hiding in a bomb shelter, then come out for a few minutes, then go back down. Many are asking, "What kind of life is this?"

"A shaky ceasefire between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian separatists still holds, but people here know it could blow up at any moment.

No one knows when the shooting will start again and things get bad, but that's when people begin worrying about the children. 
 
In the Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, the trauma from months of conflict takes its toll on both young and old.

"I am so sad that I know what war is like. To see people killing each other is terrible," Galina Kuchner with CBN's Orphan's Promise said. "God called us to stay and serve. We raised our family here so we have nowhere else to go."

Orphan's Promise has been on the ground for several months, responding to the desperate needs of people living in the conflict zone.

"The risk to our staff is high, but we knew we had to help," Kucher said. She says getting supplies as close to the front lines as possible is key.

"Those living near cities controlled by pro-Russian separatists are ones suffering most," she continued. "There's no electricity, no water, no food. They are under constant threat."

Her team makes arrangements with local bakeries to deliver bread to hundreds of families. In addition, they bring sacks of potatoes, clothes, water and other essential relief items.

"Diapers are a big need here. We are so thankful for them," Kuchner added. "With shops closed even getting the simplest things as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and laundry detergent are difficult so this is a huge blessing." 
 
The influx of refugees burdens several small communities already feeling the strain of war.

"I'm 77 years old and I see people fighting for bread every day," an elderly resident said. "There are people from other cities displaced by war and they also need help as much as we do."

In communities where electricity works only sporadically, Kucher's team has been handing out Superbook videos.

"The Superbook stories teach children how to overcome hard circumstances. Children need to hear this message and so do adults," she said.

In one town recently recaptured by Ukrainian forces, Orphan's Promise is helping families rebuild their homes.

"For example, a lot of homes have significant roof damage from rockets and other artillery fire. We wanted to help get it fixed before winter comes," Kuchner explained.

With so much uncertainty and chaos around, residents say these simple acts of kindness will go a long way to eventually rebuilding lives.

"I am so happy there are people like them in this country who worry about someone else's pain and are trying to encourage the needy. Praise the Lord for that," she said.