Children of Ukrainian Heroes under the Peaceful Sky of California

Almost a month without air raid alerts, explosions, and the constant anticipation of danger. A month during which it was possible to see the ocean, visit Disneyland, sit by a campfire, make new friends, and allow oneself to dream again. In the summer of 2026, California welcomed 21 children from Poltava region, who directly experienced the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Among the trip participants were 18 children of fallen Ukrainian Heroes, two children whose parents are considered missing, and one child whose father is in Russian captivity.

Behind each of these numbers is a separate child's fate: the pain of loss, waiting, uncertainty, and forced early maturity. The organizers aimed to make the children's lives less about war and more about ordinary childhood — travel, communication, new experiences, adventures, and genuine care, even if just for a few weeks. The trip was a joint project of the House of Bread church in the USA and the "Bread of Life" church in Poltava, realized with financial support from Bayside Church in Sacramento. The main goal of the initiative was to help children change their environment, take a break from the realities of war, and feel love and support. An important part of the program was also the desire to show them God's love through concrete actions of people.

"For our church, this program became a special mission. We wanted to support Ukraine not only with words but with concrete actions — to give children who lost their parents in the war at least a few weeks of peace, safety, and real childhood. It was important for us that they felt they are not alone, their pain is seen, they are remembered, and there are people nearby ready to share it. We sought to surround the children with love and through this care show them God's love," the program organizers noted.    

Children from Poltava and Poltava district, Myrhorod and Myrhorod district, Hadiach, Zinkiv, Lokhvytsia, Pyriatyn, Lubny and Lubny district, Kremenchuk, Kobeliaky, and Novi Sanzhary came to the United States. The group was accompanied by Valeria Tarasova, Yaroslav Tarasov, Tetiana Pryadko, and Valeria Fedchenko.

One of the most important components of the program was the participation of local families. Ukrainian and American Christians in Sacramento opened their homes to the children and took on daily care for them during their stay in the USA.

Our newspaper editor Ivanna Andreyiv spoke with the organizers and representatives of several families who hosted the children in their homes about the preparation of the program and the children's stay in California.

In conversations, they admitted that upon learning about this initiative, they felt an internal need to join. Such decisions were made by families together, understanding the responsibility but at the same time wanting to give the children warmth, peace, and a sense of security.

"When we learned about this program, we felt that we couldn't stay aside. It was important for us not only to express support for Ukraine but also to do something concrete — to open our home to a child who experienced loss due to the war. We wanted the children to feel protected, needed, and surrounded by family warmth during these few weeks," said representatives of the host families.
For them, it was not just participation in a charitable project. Accepting a child meant sharing everyday life, spending time together, listening, supporting, and creating an atmosphere where the child could smile again and just be a child.

Almost a month in California was filled with events. Every Sunday, the children joined the life of the local church and participated in Serve Day — a service day organized by the House of Bread church.

One week, the program participants spent in Los Angeles. They visited Disneyland, walked on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, swam in the ocean, and joined the Sunday gathering at Bayside Orange County.

In the photos from Disneyland — genuine children's smiles, excitement from the attractions, and meetings with favorite characters. Looking at these pictures, it's hard to imagine how many trials these children have already endured. In those moments, they could simply rejoice, be amazed, laugh, and at least for a short time not think about the war.

For children whose daily life in Ukraine is inextricably linked with sirens and the threat of shelling, such simple moments had special significance. Under the peaceful sky of California, they didn't need to listen for alarm sounds or look for the nearest shelter. They could be children again.

At the end of the trip, the participants spent almost a week in a tent camp in Albion, California. The youth ministry Slav Youth of the House of Bread church prepared a program of spiritual and physical relaxation for them. The children participated in quests, kayaked, played laser tag, and gathered together by the campfire.

It was in such relaxed circumstances that a sense of community was born. The children communicated, made friends, and gradually opened up to people who wanted to support them. Important were not only trips and entertainment but also ordinary conversations, shared dinners, jokes, and the realization that there are adults nearby who care about their fate.

Almost a month in the United States passed quickly. However, it left the children with much more than photos and memories of California. They saw how many people, who were not even familiar with them before, were ready to dedicate their time, open their homes, and surround them with care.

For the Ukrainian community in California, this program became another way to support the Motherland. Helping Ukraine is not always measured only by collected funds or sent cargoes. Sometimes it starts with the willingness to free up a room in your own home, prepare dinner, listen to a child, or give them a day without fear.

War takes away from children not only their dearest people. It destroys the sense of security, predictability, and carefreeness. It is impossible to return everything lost, but it is possible to create a space where a child can feel warmth, acceptance, and hope again.

The children returned to Ukraine, carrying with them memories of the ocean, sunny California, evenings by the campfire, and people who met them thousands of kilometers from home. People who couldn't change their past but did everything possible to give them a few bright weeks of the present.

For families, churches, and volunteers, this meeting was also an important reminder: distance does not weaken the connection with Ukraine. On the contrary, it encourages finding new ways to be close.

Great support often begins with a simple decision — not to stay aside. Sometimes, for this, it is enough to open the doors of your home. And along with them — your heart.