Due to the russian invasion, these families lost their homes in the Kherson region. Now they will live in new homes in Zhytomyr, built with funding from the Estonian government through the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV).

The project was made possible by the support of the Estonian government in cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, as part of the scaling up of the Address of Childhood project, the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, and the community of Zhytomyr.

Seven months ago, a “time capsule” with wishes and drawings was laid at the construction site of new family-type orphanages, and today the walls of the new homes are filled with warmth and children’s laughter. They have already been visited by guests, including First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tähkna and Executive Director of the Estonian Center for International Development Klen Jarats.

Families are already living in the houses.

The Butenko family is from Beryslav district of Kherson region. Due to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this family was forced to leave their home and start building a new life in Zhytomyr.

Ruslana Valentynivna is an art teacher. She is raising five children: Kateryna, Makar, Lidiia, Taisiia and Stanislav, for whom she is not only an educator but also a friend. Ms. Ruslana cares about the development of children’s creative potential and brings them up to love Ukraine.

The family of Oksana Sahaidak and Serhiy Oslamov was forced to come to Zhytomyr. They come from the part of Kherson region that is currently under occupation. Their home was destroyed there: four shells hit the house. Oksana and her husband Serhiy have had a difficult journey to safety.

Serhii joined his family in Zhytomyr only six months later. He survived filtration measures and torture at the Chongar checkpoint. Serhii Anatoliiovych made his way to Ukraine via Crimea, russia, belarus, and Poland. In April 2024, the couple set up a family-type orphanage. Now they are raising seven children, including their own son Serhii.

Despite the challenges, these two families have not lost their willingness to give children love and care.