Fighting for sight

In the chaos caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tetiana, from the small town of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi in Odesa Oblast, was forced to seek refuge in Moldova with her family, including her two nieces, Kateryna and Kristina. Moldova gradually became a second home after receiving a warm welcome. Yet, despite their newfound safety, their family faces a daunting challenge: both girls suffer from optic nerve atrophy, a degenerative genetic condition that severely affects their vision.

Kateryna, affectionately called Katyusha by her aunt, has only 7% vision in one eye and 2% in the other. The outlook for her younger sister, Kristina, is similarly grim. Doctors confirmed there is no treatment to reverse the condition fully but advised Tetiana to help the girls experience as much of the world as possible while they can still see.

Refusing to give up, Tetiana searched tirelessly for solutions and found a clinic in Ukraine where specialists could help slow the disease's progression. However, the treatment is expensive and requires regular repetition—an overwhelming financial burden, especially after the family fled their home. During this challenging time, we provided funding for a treatment course to help protect the girls' eyesight.

Despite the hardships they face, Kateryna and Kristina remain optimistic. Kateryna recently completed a massage course and continues her studies through distance learning at a medical college in Ukraine, where she is now in her fourth year. We supplied her with a specialised tablet to support her efforts. Kristina is also studying at the EDUTech Lab in Comrat, with support from People in Need, allowing her to continue online education at her school in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi.

Though life remains challenging, the family dreams of peace and one day returning to their small house on the Black Sea coast. Tetiana hopes to invite all those who have helped them in their fight against both disease and war to her coastal home, hoping that peace will return by then.

Supported by the European Union through the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Programme, our efforts are part of the PLACE project, conducted in partnership with Acted, REACH (IMPACT Initiatives) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), bringing vital assistance to those who need it most.