After the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, millions of Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes to escape the war. Among them was a family from the Sumy region, who found their lives upended by relentless shelling and imminent danger. They sought refuge in a distant city, grappling with uncertainty and fear.

Thankfully, local organizations stepped up to offer help. Blagomay Charity Fund is a nonprofit organization based in Ukraine that focuses on supporting children in need, particularly orphans and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Established with the mission to provide comprehensive assistance and improve the quality of life for vulnerable children, the fund undertakes various initiatives aimed at addressing their basic needs, healthcare, education, and overall well-being. However, in recent times of crises they have significantly expanded their focus to disaster relief for families as well.

Thanks to their “Hot Needs” program supported by CAF America, Blagomay Charity Fund provided this displaced family with everything they needed: clothing, household chemicals, food, and heaters. As they rebuilt their lives in unfamiliar surroundings, the support from Blagomay Charity Fund became more than just a lifeline—it became a testament to the power of community and compassion in times of crisis.

Since February 2022, Blagomay Charity Fund has successfully evacuated 375 children, 43 adults, and 308 disabled individuals from boarding schools, orphanages, and foster families to safer locations within Ukraine and abroad.

Prior to their crisis response work, the Blagomay Charity Fund supported children from educational institutions without parental care and those from socially vulnerable families by providing comprehensive child development through educational programs, medical assistance, psychological support, and meeting basic needs, aiding over 5,000 children and supporting more than 110 institutions.

Partnership with CAF America

Since May 2020, CAF America has helped our donors support the Blagomay Charity Fund with an impressive $1,021,290 in grants.

Support During Covid-19

Prior to the invasion, grants supported Ukrainian doctors and ambulance crews during Covid-19 by providing protective gear, helping safeguard their lives, protect their families, and ensure proper patient care. CAF America funds purchased 17,000 protective suits and masks, two patient monitors, a gas analyzer, and professional washing equipment for a large hospital in Ukraine. Funds also supplied protective gear to medical staff in eight hospitals across Kiev, Lviv, Odessa, and Mykolaiv, directly assisting 17,000 doctors and benefiting over 150,000 patients. Blagamoy played a vital role in supporting healthcare workers and patients across Ukraine during this trying time.

Invasion Disaster Relief

When the invasion started in early 2022, CAF America grants were used to assist victims of the war in Ukraine through evacuation and migrant support programs. From March 1 to April 30, aid reached 36 centers for displaced persons and orphanages, benefiting over 18,000 people. CAF America’s donors also enabled the evacuation of a family-type orphanage from Luhansk to Austria, despite being in an active war zone. Their “Shelter with Love” program built modular homes for over 400 displaced Ukrainians. Our donors helped Blagomay Charity Fund be an efficient and reliable partner in relief efforts by being able to quickly adapt and provide timely assistance amid the crisis.

Grants have also been used to install temporary housing for war-affected migrants within Ukraine, purchase essential goods for internally displaced persons, and provide food for children in orphanages, boarding schools, and temporary shelters. Over $50,000 funded the installation of temporary houses, aid to orphanages, medical office equipment, and food for various institutions. Throughout 2023, these grants provided dozens of people with housing, supported hundreds of children in orphanages, and supplied food to over 14,000 people across 12 institutions. Future grants dedicated to this area will support similar projects such as team development, finding reliable suppliers, and maintaining transparent operations.

Ongoing Efforts

Blagomay Charity Fund has many ongoing grants and initiatives, serving purposes such as providing power banks during blackouts and the creation of a safe educational space in Kyiv, offering 400+ educational events and consultations for teenagers in difficult circumstances. Grants were also used to install temporary houses for IDPs and provide necessities for hundreds of orphaned children. These projects benefited over 6,229 individuals, enhancing education, psychological help, housing, and basic needs for affected populations.

Thanks to CAF America’s donors, Blagomay Charity Fund has made huge strides in addressing humanitarian crises in Ukraine and supporting children, families, and vulnerable populations.