News September 2025

Eight-year-old Andriyko weighs only 20 kg. He could be playing football on the playground, but instead he fights for his health every day. When other children choose ice cream or chocolate, Andriy chooses what to eat so that his condition does not worsen.

Andriyko lives with his mother and great-grandmother. His father is not involved in his life. The family has IDP status: in 2014, they left their native Donetsk, leaving without a home.

The family now rents an apartment. Disability payments go towards the rent. After that, Viktoria has only 1,000 UAH per month left for all other needs.

Andriy has congenital lactase deficiency. Currently, doctors allow him to eat regular food, except for porridge. But his lack of skills gets in the way: although the boy regularly works with speech therapists, he cannot chew. At first, his food was chopped up in a blender, but now his mother mashes it with a fork.

Despite all the challenges, Andriyko amazes with his abilities. At the age of 3, he taught himself the Ukrainian, English and Russian alphabets. In the second grade, he reads and counts well. After moving from the shelter, the boy made a real breakthrough in self-care – he washes his hands, brushes his teeth and gets dressed on his own.

In order to grow and gain strength, Andriyko needs special nutrition: Nutricia Liquigen, Nutridrink Compact Fibre and Milupa puree. Their cost for six months is unaffordable for the family. Let's help Andriyko! Every hryvnia is another chance for him to grow and develop!