For the vast majority of parents in Ukraine, the resources to care for their child—whether that’s financially or practically—are already stretched so thin that adding the overwhelming needs of a medically complex child is next to impossible. Many families are actually persuaded and encouraged by the government, medical professionals, family, friends, and society that placing their child in an orphanage is the best decision they can make. Parents are told that at least their child will be fed, warm, and receive medical care. Society tells them that as long as their physical needs are being met, that is all that matters. Sadly, we know of too many children living in orphanages whose medical needs are not being met in the slightest. We also know the devastating effects that children living in orphanages experience as a result of growing up outside of the loving protection and nurturing that only parents can provide. Even the “best” orphanages cause profound trauma to the children growing up there, and will never be able to replace the role of a parent in a child’s life. Children belong in families. Far too many kids are dying in orphanages because their medical needs are overlooked, not viewed as urgent, or ignored completely. Too many children are turned away from hospitals and potentially life-saving surgery because their case is “too risky”. We firmly believe that every child and life is worth fighting for and that their life is precious. This is why we have an Emergency Medical Fund, so that we are able to wrap around families facing challenging diagnoses and children are kept from ever entering into the orphanage system.

This is family preservation, this is orphan prevention.

Families are worth fighting for.

Children are worth fighting for.

Hope is worth fighting for.

Learn more about how New Song’s Emergency Medical Fund is helping to fill in the gap.