The Light That Brings Hope to Myroslav’s Face 

With support from the European Union, UNICEF, and AVE Copiii, refugee children and children from host communities receive protection, services, and the chance to grow

The morning always begins with the smell of tea and the sound of a mother's footsteps in the house where they have found peace. Yelyzaveta slowly lifts the blinds, and light touches the face of her seven-year-old son, Myroslav. The boy opens his eyes and smiles.   

“He loves the light. I tell him the sun is coming to say hello”, the mother says. 

They arrived in Taraclia, Republic of Moldova, in March 2024, after fleeing Izmail in the Odesa region.

“We had one suitcase, a stroller, and 200 dollars. Back then, I used to say that wherever our suitcase was, that was our home”, Yelyzaveta recalls. The journey was long, but starting a new life was even harder. “We didn’t know anyone. I cried a lot during the first months. Everything felt strange”. 

Myroslav was born with cerebral palsy. In Ukraine, he attended rehabilitation sessions regularly, and his mother did everything possible to continue his treatment after arriving in Moldova. With support from AVE Copiii, through UNICEF and the European Union, the family received material assistance for the child’s care, winter clothing, and, most importantly, continuous counselling and guidance to access local social and educational services.  

“When I told them he couldn’t write with his hands, the people from AVE Copiii bought him a special board so he could learn letters and numbers. It was such a joy”, Yelyzaveta says.   

Teachers visit their home several times a week, and the boy is gradually learning to recognize letters and colors. 

“Myroslav’s case was taken over by the AVE Copiii team in March 2024, and the support provided with the help of the European Union has gradually transformed the family’s life. We began with emergency assistance, then helped the mother access the Family Support Service and a financial allowance that provided stability during the first months. The child received winter clothing and footwear last year, and the support will continue this year as well. Over time, Myroslav was included in educational and therapeutic services, received an adapted learning board, and a school-supply voucher. Today, he is visibly progressing, and his mother feels she is no longer alone on this journey”, explains Elena Codreanu, social worker at AVE Copiii. 

The project that supported Myroslav and his mother is part of a joint effort by the European Union and UNICEF to strengthen Moldova’s child protection system. Through AVE Copiii, the project helps refugee and local children in difficult situations receive rapid, tailored support. The initiative strengthens case-management and referral mechanisms, provides training for specialists, and ensures children’s access to safe, inclusive, and child-friendly services. This way, every child has the chance to grow protected, heard, and supported, regardless of the challenges they face.  

Thousands of Children Supported in Moldova

Myroslav’s story is one of the child-protection case-management interventions carried out by AVE Copiii with support from UNICEF and the European Union. Between 2024 and 2025, case-management interventions supported 4,977 refugee children, including 99 children with disabilities. These results demonstrate the scale of the efforts made and the commitment to reaching every child who needs protection, guidance, and access to adapted services. 

“Yelyzaveta’s and Myroslav’s story shows us the importance of reaching the most vulnerable children and ensuring their access to humanitarian assistance and social services tailored to their needs. Thanks to the support of the European Union, UNICEF has been able to invest in a stronger child protection system through partnerships with civil society organizations and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, who work hand in hand to support children and their families”, says Flore Rossi, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF. 

In the meantime, with the help of local specialists, the family received financial support and access to the mobile team providing therapeutic assistance for children with disabilities. In September 2025, Myroslav received a new school-supply voucher, and in December he will begin a rehabilitation period at the sanatorium in Comrat.  

“Every small step is a victory. Now he can sit more steadily, hold himself better. He has made great progress in learning. I’m teaching him not to depend only on me”, the mother says with determination in her eyes.  

Although winter is approaching and firewood is expensive, Yelyzaveta always finds reasons to be grateful. Neighbours help her, and partner organizations look for solutions whenever the family is in need.   

“Everything came together piece by piece. A crib, a mattress, a board. And from all of that, I built a small corner of peaceful life for my child”.  

A Simple Wish for the Future 

When asked what she wishes for the future, Yelyzaveta pauses, then says softly: 

“For him to stand up and walk. That’s all. And to always smile when he sees the light”. 

Today, Myroslav continues to learn, laugh, and grow thanks to a child protection system that gives him the chance to experience a safe childhood beyond borders.