2025 04 02 / Day 4: The Next Generation at Velika Dobrony

Direct Aid For Ukraine Team
Apr 10
4 min read

Updated: Nov 19

Today was a truly transformative day. We arrived at The Good Samaritan Children's Home, a place of hope and care for children in need, which is now expanding to include boys.

The Good Samaritan Children's Home is an orphanage in Velika Dobrony, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine. We have aimed to raise funds and transform their old bakery building into a new "boys' section" in March-April 2025. All this was to happen in a record time of only 2 months.

On arrival

Greeted warmly by Andrea Katko (Director) and Knot Jurjen (Manager from the Netherlands), we felt the deep commitment of this community. They have a normal capacity for 75 children, but because of the war they are currently caring for 125 children, so we are helping them to expand their capacity.

Phtoto Credit: Zsuzsanna Bozo (Direct Aid)

After months of preparation, which included a complete renovation of the space, which was funded by Direct Aid For Ukraine, we completed the conversion of an unused storage space into a cozy boys' dorm, with 2 big 6-child bedrooms, a bathroom, a learning space, and a living space.

Before our support, this space was a derelict storage room.

Photo credit: Zsuzsanna Bozo (Direct Aid)

Photos from the local builders, progressing work (Jan - April 2025 )

Plans to change

The volunteering day

By 9 a.m., we were assembling IKEA furniture to make it ready for the boys to move in. Even the local TV crew jumped in to help assemble desks and chairs! We also had the honor of welcoming József Bácskai, the Hungarian Consul, for a building session, and Miroszlav Bileckij, Governor of Transcarpathian Oblast, János Makukk, Maltese Charity Services, and the Victor Ágoston Hungarian Reformed Church were represented. We were also pleased to have Balázs Trauttmann with us, from the Hungarian Dragon feeders Foundation.

By 5 p.m., the whole dorm was complete.

Words of Mr Miroszlav Bileckij, Governor of Transcarpathian Oblast, as he joined us for this fun day. We are grateful for raising awareness of our work, and crediting the effects.

" 👧 👧For every adult who dared to hurt a child, there will be at least 10 who will help her.

🙌Yesterday was more than a work trip. It was a visit full of events, meetings, conversations, emotions, and impressions that would last for a month.

🏡 Visited the House of Mercy "Good Samaritan", that in Nagydobrony in the Uzhhorod region. Here are children whose families were in difficult circumstances, deprived of parental care, who have physical or psycho-emotional disabilities. The institution now houses over a hundred children from different districts of Transcarpathia.

💔I've heard many sad stories in my life, and the circumstances in which the students of the institution find themselves here are astonishing - their cruelty, indifference, misunderstanding, and the harm that adults inflict on innocent children with their actions.

👧 Nevertheless, I saw openness in the eyes of children, sincerity, curiosity, not fear or anger. This is the result of the enormous and painstaking work of the director of the House of Mercy, Andrea Katko, the entire pedagogical team, educators and specialists. And also an army of philanthropists and volunteers who help all those in need.

🇺🇦🇺🇸This is where the team of the project "direct help to Ukraine" spent their day, Direct Aid For Ukraine. They donated funds to renovate and furnish the boys' room, and today they all prepared it together for the children to move in. Am happy to have joined them. Together with the founder of Alex Davernom and the general consul of Hungary in m. Uzhhorod Jožefom Bačkai collected furniture, the head of the organization Zsuzsanna Bozo, together with the volunteers of his team, made an order and created comfort in the new home for the students of the institution.

🤝Seeing the baby grip is priceless. Huge gratitude to all who help Good Samaritan House of Mercy and our American friends who do many things to support Ukraine and the Ukrainians. It is now a very comforting space for the 12 boys, who immediately moved in that evening to make room for new arrivals from the East. Meeting the children was the highlight of the day. Their smiles and hugs radiated gratitude and joy, a testament to the love and care they receive despite challenging circumstances. Harold and Rachel even took time after lunch to teach boxing, bringing moments of fun and connection."

The happy handover

Welcoming the boys into their new home was unforgettable—“Wows,” hugs, and smiles filled the air. It was a powerful reminder of how small acts of kindness can create lasting change.

TV21 Local Station reporting on our day

Our gratitude

How can you help?

We have several projects, looking for sponsorship. If you would like to work with us, join these missions, please get in touch!

If you are in the United States, don't hesitate to get in touch with Alex Davern, who will be coordinating the funds donated to this purpose: alexdavern@gmail.com

If you are in Hungary or you have a smaller contribution to make, please contact Zsuzsanna Bozo, in Hungary. Send a message here: directaidforukrainecharity@gmail.com