Volodya’s Story

Volodya and his brothers were starving and desperate. Then CBN’s Orphan’s Promise stepped in and gave Volodya and his family the crucial support they needed, just in time. Donate now and help to transform lives all over the UK and Europe.

12-year-old Volodya lives in Ukraine with his brothers. Growing up, he said he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t hungry. 

“I was afraid that I would die of starvation,” the young boy says. “When I was hungry, I got dizzy and my stomach ached. Sometimes I would dream about food.” 

100 years ago, the Roma people came to Ukraine looking for freedom, opportunity and a chance to work. What they found were hunger and unemployment. For generations, they struggled to survive because of cultural prejudice and mistrust. Volodya’s dad has never had the chance to work a full-time job. 

“My mum goes to the city to beg and being food for the family. We sit in our hut and wait for hours without food,” says Voldya. 

That’s when the family met Sasha, a missionary pastor with a heart to reach the Roma people in his community. Pastor Sasha discovered Volodya’s dad, Ivan, had been injured so he went to visit him in the hospital. Sasha also shared the Gospel with him! 

“Doctors said I might not survive. So, I prayed and received Jesus as my Saviour. I also prayed that God would help me to survive so that I can serve Him and my family all of my life,” says Ivan. 

That’s when the family met Sasha, a missionary pastor with a heart to reach the Roma people in his community. Pastor Sasha discovered Volodya’s dad, Ivan, had been injured so he went to visit him in the hospital. Sasha also shared the Gospel with him! 

“Doctors said I might not survive. So, I prayed and received Jesus as my Saviour. I also prayed that God would help me to survive so that I can serve Him and my family all of my life,” says Ivan. 

About that same time, Pastor Sasha found Orphan’s Promise which is supported by CBN UK. Sasha wanted – not only to help hungry kids – but to help dads like Ivan find work and a way to support his family. So, Orphan’s Promise built this factory and hired Ivan to make concrete blocks and decorative pavers. He has become the company’s best employee. 

Ivan comments, “In the beginning, I didn’t know anything, so they trained me. Praise God, I was able to learn and now I teach others. I could have been dead right now, but I am so proud to say that I have a good job and my wife doesn’t have to beg anymore!” 

The factory is so busy making blocks and pavers that they have had to turn away business. Soon they plan to hire 13 more people from the Roma community.  

Today, Volodya says his family always has plenty to eat, and he says that he has a new dream for his future aswell. 

Volodya says, “I am so happy that my dad has a job and works hard! I don’t want to beg when I grow up. I want to work. God has a purpose for my life. Jesus has changed our lives forever!