Celebrating holidays during a state of war can seem unrealistic, especially for children who have become orphans during this difficult time in Ukraine. In one month of war in Ukraine, more than 4.3 million children were displaced. That is more than half of the country’s child population. The AMOR Ukraine Health Organization team worked together to bring some cheer to orphaned children for the holiday season. They organized traditional gift sets and toys for more than 175 children that included, drinks, chips, cookies, socks, 370 pounds of tangerines and 350 chocolate bars.

In a span of three days, the team traveled to an Uman orphanage, children’s rehabilitation center, Khristinovka village, and Ryzhavka village to deliver gifts to children. At each location the team wholeheartedly put together a traditional holiday performance of music, dance, and poems. When living in a country overtaken by war, catastrophe can occur at any given time. The AUHO team risked their lives multiple times while making strong attempts to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. They continuously experienced threats of bombing attacks by aircraft and had to take refuge in bomb shelters with the children. This is an unfathomable reality that Ukrainian children and families experience daily. This selfless act from the AUHO team brought about happiness and relief for one of the most fragile populations affected by this dangerous war.