Accommodation appeal for Ukrainian orphans
A small Scottish charity which has – to date – managed to safely evacuate around 50 orphans from the war in Ukraine today launched a plea for accommodation.
Dnipro Kids, which has been praised for its “amazing” efforts by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, needs accommodation large enough to help them keep traumatised youngsters with their friends, siblings and orphanage “parents.”
Despite dozens of well-intended and kind offers Dnipro Kids is not looking for “spare room” accommodation for single youngsters, but rather is in need of accommodation that can take 10-12 people so that the orphanage “family groups” it supports can be kept together avoiding further trauma.
The charity – founded by supporters of Hibernian FC when the club played a European game in Ukraine against Dnipro in 2005 – has been supporting a number of small orphanages in the city in the east of Ukraine.
Already around five of the orphanages have taken the decision to flee Putin’s invading army, with three choosing to stay put – for now.
More than 50 people, most of them youngsters aged 4-17, have fled by train and bus to Lviv and then onto Poland – all organised by the charity working with partners.
Charity chairman and co-founder Steven Carr said: “ We have been overwhelmed at the incredible generosity shown by lots of people, companies and organisations and by the donations people have made.
“We have also received many offers from people to take one or two youngsters into their homes.
It’s important to point out that, while we do appreciate the kindness of the offers, we are looking for entirely different accommodation arrangements.
“The orphanages which have evacuated through us are, effectively, extended “family” groups made up of 12 people, and we are working to keep them together. Significant trauma has already been suffered by the youngsters and we feel it is important that we keep them together.”
If you, or anyone you know, or any organisation you know, can help us find accommodation please get in touch. We need your help.
