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Dnipro Appeal Update - Baby Centre

Most of the updates I send out involve the kids at the orphanages that we all assist through the Child Sponsorship Scheme, but there is another area of assistance that a small percentage of your donation goes towards helping.

The Dnipro Kids Baby Centre has been up and running for more than a year now and we are finding that the level of assistance that this facility offers to pregnant girls and struggling mothers is a huge blessing, especially given the countries current financial situation and fast rising inflation issues.

Recognition must go to Natalie Radchenko (Baby Centre manager) and her band of volunteers for assisting the women and babies that arrive at the Baby Centre looking for help. And credit to Natalie for managing to make the most of the limited budget (just £120 per month) that we are able to provide for the Centre.

I would also like to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Mark Jones at Frutin Travel ( www.frutintravel.com ) on Great Junction Street for allowing his shop to be used as a drop off point for the donated baby clothing that we send out to the Baby Centre and also to Peter Illand Document Storage ( www.theillandcompany.co.uk ) at Bonnyrigg for providing us with storage facilities in between deliveries.


The main purpose of this particular update though is to relay to you all a letter that we received from one of the mums that has been attending the Dnipro Kids Baby Centre (kindly translated by Natalie).


Lilya first arrived at the Baby Centre mid way through her pregnancy, when the initial joy of her pregnancy was starting to wear off and the realities of the responsibilities and costs were starting to seem ever closer.

We feel that one of the strengths of the Baby Centre is an experienced and caring manager that has excels when it comes to comforting those that arrive at the centre worried and apprehensive about what the future might hold.

Natalie, the Baby Centre manager, is also very thorough though and uses the first visit to get as much background information as possible to allow her to assess the needs of the mums. It would be excellent if we had a bigger budget for the Baby Centre but unfortunately our funds are such that Natalie has to deal with each mother individually before deciding which are the neediest and can be provided with the items they might require. We appreciate that this must be a very difficult thing for Natalie to do, but it is a credit to her that she manages so well and that we receive regular updates with good news on the mums we are helping.

In the case of Lilya, Natalie discovered that Lilya was very concerned about the father of the child who had serious drink problems. Lilya was concerned because the father had made no efforts to change his ways and she did not want to bring her child up in that sort of environment. Lilya was scared about what lay ahead as a single mother and how she would cope. Natalie was able to discuss her fears with her and was also able to introduce her to other mothers that had experienced similar problems.

With the support of the Dnipro Kids Baby Centre, Lilya was able to continue with her pregnancy with a lot of the worries alleviated.

Lilya gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Dareena, during the summer and Dnipro Appeal Committee member John Divine was lucky enough to meet Lilya and Dareena during his visit there at the end of August.


Dear Supporters,

On one of the autumn days last year I got to know that I was pregnant. What a wonderful, pleasant surprise! All my families were extremely happy and I, as a mum to be, became the happiest woman in the world!

As every mum does, I want my baby to have the best of everything possible, but unfortunately I know that I will not be able to do that. In Ukraine our prices for clothes, shoes, soap and food are all very high, especially for children. This is why families can struggle to afford to buy good things for their children. To buy some baby clothes you need to sacrifice on nappies, wet wipes, even on your own food. It is even harder if you are a single mother, like me, and you have to take care of your child by yourself.

Dnipro Kids Baby Centre has been a huge support for me, and my baby girl. We are very thankful that we are supplied with clothes (from socks to winter coat), nappies, wet wipes, shampoos, lotion. Since the first day I came to the Baby Centre for help I have never felt uncomfortable because the workers of the Centre, Natalie and Ira, create a warm and friendly atmosphere for everybody who comes.

I had big fears concerning my delivery and was extremely nervous as it was coming closer and closer, but the emotional support of Baby Centre director Natalie gave me confidence that I would do it well, and I did it! My baby girl Dareena is 3 months old already.

At the end of August during my regular visit to the Baby Centre I was very much pleased to meet John, one of those people from Scotland who do such an amazing job helping the Baby Centre to exist. My heart was melting when I watching John enjoying playing with my baby girl and to see her smile in return.

From the bottom of my heart I want to express all my gratitude to founders of the Baby Centre, to all sponsors and to everybody who generously donates, helping us mums in Ukraine to raise happy and healthy babies.

With great respect,
Lilya Daneelchenko.

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