Ukrainian orphans rescued by Mirror readers are thriving and safe a year later

Many of the country's 105,000 orphans were moved from 700 institutions to stay with parents ill-prepared to receive them when war broke out in Ukraine

Ukrainian orphans rescued thanks to the generosity of Sunday Mirror readers have been thriving in Romania for nearly a year.

But all they really want is for the war to end so they can go home.

Aliona, 12, was one of 52 children driven from her orphanage in Dnipro by Russian bombing.

She was brought to safety by the charity Hope and Homes for Children, thanks to £84,000 raised by our readers.

Now she wants to join the police when she grows up and does well in math, biology and geography at her Romanian school, and likes dancing and gymnastics.

But his dearest wish is to return to Dnipro, in central Ukraine.

Aliona said, "I've missed Ukraine all year. Romania is beautiful, but I want to go home."

Aliona and Llari

Another refugee, Ilari, 14, added: “I love Dnipro. It was the best place on Earth. just want Ukraine to win the war so we can all go home."

Ilari's journey to the shrine involved a 26-hour journey by bus, train, and on foot.

He and Aliona live in northern Romania – supported by Hope and Homes for Children.

We do not disclose their exact location or full names, as they are still under threat from human traffickers.

A mother and her children separated before the war have been reunited.

Olena, 29, had three children in care after they were left unattended by a babysitter.

Now Sofia, 6, brothers Oleksii, 10, and Artem, 8, are back with mom and have met their 18-month-old sister, Zlata, for the first time.

But life is hard at home, 80 km from Dnipro, and Olena depends on food parcels, nappies and medicine provided by the association.

She said, "It's hard to put food on the table. We dream of victory and the end of this war."

Many of the country's 105,000 orphans have been moved from 700 institutions to be housed by parents ill-prepared to receive them.

Part of the money raised went to provide emergency aid kits, trauma counselling, day centers for children with disabilities and training for adoptive parents.

Halyna Postoliuk, director of the charity in Ukraine, said: 'The war has created a child protection emergency.

"They lost their parents, their home and stopped talking. They hide under a table when they hear loud sounds. An 11-year-old boy's hair turned gray in an instant."< /p>

Former Chief of the Defense Staff and charity patron, Lord Dannatt, said: "The readers of the Sunday Mirror have been incredibly generous. I hope this continues so that Hope and Homes for Children can continue to help the hidden victims of war."

You can donate £10 by texting UKRAINEAPPEAL on 70460