Infant Formula Delivers Hope for Babies in Ukraine
Imagine for a moment that you are living in a war-torn country. Your baby lies in your arms crying weakly because he is hungry, but for almost a day you have had nothing to feed him. You feel hopelessness so deep that it radiates through your bones. Then there is a knock.
You lift your head and rush to the door; a Salesian missionary stands there and hands you 2 boxes of formula. Your heart swells in your chest and your eyes tear up as you thank the missionary, but he has already rushed off to help another person. As you turn to fill your baby’s bottle, your hope is restored once again.
That is a story that Ilyna, a mother in Ukraine*, shared when she received a donation of infant formula from the Salesian Center in Zhytomyr. The entire shipment received by the Center consisted of 12,000 boxes of formula, which is being distributed to Ukrainian families in need.
Our dedicated Salesian missionaries have been on the front lines of the war in Ukraine since the beginning, reaching out to those who have been displaced by offering shelter, food, clothing, medical care and education.
“While our priority has been to ensure the basic needs and safety of the most vulnerable,” explains Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions, “Salesians are also focused on the long-term prospects for these families, providing hope through education and skills training that will lead to jobs and self-sufficiency.”
For Ilyna and her baby, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty. But they have the comfort of knowing that the Salesians are there to protect them – and provide for them – along the way.
Our mission is to ensure the youngest and most vulnerable infants and children have the care they need to survive life-threatening crises. What’s your mission?
