This year, we want to hold a week-long Summer Camp in western Ukraine, but we can only do this with your help.

Since the start of the devastating war in Ukraine in February 2022, an estimated 2,500 children have been killed or injured, with more than 2,100 missing and 19,500 abducted and moved to Russia. Tragically the actual numbers are feared to be much higher.

44% of children are believed to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the psychological effects of war and war-related trauma can be much more damaging on children than on adults. Many children cannot understand why the war is happening and have been deeply traumatised by the violence. Families continue to be separated and lives torn apart, with many children still spending hours sheltering in the basements of residential buildings under attack. 

Mission Without Borders is a Christian charity which has been working in Eastern Europe for over 60 years, lifting families out of desperate poverty and sharing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Alongside 345 churches in Ukraine, we’ve been responding to the crisis, providing refugees with accommodation, food and hygiene parcels, hot meals and clothing along with emotional and spiritual support. 

A gift of £24 will cover one day of costs for a child to attend Summer Camp in Ukraine.

Nadiya's family were living in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine when, in February 2022, their town came under heavy bombing. Seeking shelter, they moved into a school basement. When the school was destroyed, they returned home and took shelter in their dark, unfinished bomb shelter. Days passed, with the constant wail of sirens and terrible explosions that shook everything around them.

Nadiya prayed constantly and, one day, an evacuation bus finally took the family out. As they left, Russian tanks began shooting at the bus, and everyone lay on the floor. Eventually, the bus arrived safely at the nearest railway station. So fearful were they, that when Nadiya’s family got onto the train, her daughters lay down on the floor again, even though everything was quiet.

The family now live in Rivne in western Ukraine and last summer they were able to go on a special day camp for refugees organised by Mission Without Borders in a quiet, rural location near a lake. Nadiya was overwhelmed by the love and support of everyone there.

This summer, with your help, we want to take refugee children away from the war atmosphere to a camp near Rivne, western Ukraine. Children will enjoy tasty meals, sporting and art activities, learn skills for life, spend time in worship and make some unforgettable memories in a safe and fun fellowship. Encouragement and guidance from trained Christian staff and volunteers will also give young people the opportunity to talk with the team, share their worries, and receive support.

The cost of venue hire, purchasing nutritious food, sports equipment and arts materials as well as volunteer training are just a few of the essentials that we need to fulfil. These amount to a cost of £164 per child for a week's camp.  We need your help to make this happen.

Your gift of £24 would cover all the costs of one day’s camp for one vulnerable child.

And a very special gift of £164 would cover the costs of a full week for one child to attend camp.

Whatever help you can give would mean so much this summer. Please respond today and stand alongside Ukrainian children and families. With your help we can give love and friendship to children and practical and life changing support to families like Nadiya’s. Together we can shine the light of hope into the darkness of this terrible war and share God’s love this summer.