Ukraine 2025 trip / Day 1 / Children’s Rehabilitation Center

We started our day early, leaving Budapest at 7 a.m. to journey eastward into Ukraine.

The border crossing between Hungary and Ukraine was smooth yet heavily controlled, and by 1:15 p.m., we had successfully entered Ukraine.

Our destination was the Early Intervention Center of the Maltese Charity Services in Berehove, a facility dedicated to supporting children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. This center represents hope for families navigating the challenges of such conditions.

For the past three weeks, the local team has been tirelessly transforming the center. Their efforts included painting walls, installing wooden paneling, upgrading lighting fixtures, and undertaking extensive sorting and clearing. Today, we joined them in assembling IKEA furniture to complete the renovations, spending five hours working alongside the community.

The highlight was welcoming local families and children into this newly revitalized space. Witnessing how our contributions, combined with the unwavering dedication of the community, brought this project to life was profoundly moving. It reinforced our belief in one of our core principles: every child deserves a chance at normalcy, even in the face of war.

Popcorn reception