On October 27 there was the first Conference like this in Simferopol, Crimea. It brought together more than 100 participants from different parts of Crimea, including Simferopol, Kerch, Evpatoria, Saki, as well as Kiev and Kherson.

It was organized by CF “My Home” and CF “Children’s Home”, with the active participation of CF “SOS.” The conference brought together pastors, students, executives, entrepreneurs, adoptive parents, doctors, and all those who care for children left at the side of this life and in desperate need of help. Among those present were interesting people, who were happy to share their experiences and feelings. Listening to the speech of Tanya, a graduate of an orphanage in the past, it was possible to verify that correct and constant assistance always brings results. Julia Vyaltseva, PhD, shared about the situation in Crimea concerning HIV and AIDS, specifics of development and ways of transmission of the virus. Sergei Khutornoy, who himself grew up in adoptive family and is the father of four children, two of whom are fostered and have positive HIV status, shared about the fears and thoughts of parents, that God is the Giver of life, and encouraged to open families for these children . Rostislav Mikolenko, development director of the “Ukraine without orphans” Alliance shared seven ways of helping an orphaned child, and the development strategy of the Alliance. The head of “The only hope” project, Paul Gladchenko, told how you can become a mentor for children in orphanages and thus affect their future. The film “Unusual Children” was presented by the Director of “My Home” Fund, Andrey Beglenko, and he shared the ways in which we can help special children, and how important it is to change the mindset of society against them.

The assistant director of “House of Hope” fund, Irina Bragina, shared about the possibilities of improving the living conditions for adoptive parents. There was an interesting speech by the pastor from Belogorsk, Igor Shtyhno. He is the father of 16 fostered children. Both fostered and biological children are his life, and he does not see anything super special in this. This is a unique family, which is always cozy and quiet, despite the fact that the family often takes “difficult” children, mostly teenagers.

The conference was held on a good level, in good atmosphere, gave a new push for further joint and long-term projects. In the end everybody prayed for all the orphans of Ukraine in small groups, also there was a final point of prayer. We believe that through such projects we move closer to the goal of Ukraine without orphans.