In Ukraine – and especially in Odessa – the war is robbing children of security, stability, and their childhood.
The wounds of war are not only visible, they are also silent: deep traumas, persistent fears, sleepless nights, and difficulties learning, trusting, and dreaming shape their everyday lives.
Many children in Odessa have lost their homes or close relatives. They all bear the invisible scars of violence. Without protection and targeted support, they risk becoming a lost generation.
little hearts supports two rehabilitation centers of Caritas-Spes Odessa One is located in the city center, the other in the surrounding area. There, children and their families receive urgently needed help:
psychological support, tailored therapies, educational guidance, and a safe, warm place where they can gradually recover.
The children, aged 6 to 16, come from families who were evacuated from conflict zones and often lost everything – their homes, their safety and their emotional stability.
Out of a deeply moving reality the little cat from Odessa The result is a colorful, lovingly handcrafted ceramic cat. Each piece is unique and carries within it the hope and strength of the children.
Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Pope Leo received one of these special cats as a gift from the children of the Caritas-Spes Odessa rehabilitation center – a touching sign of their gratitude and their unbroken faith in a better future.
The little cat from Odessa is given away as a heartfelt thank you for every donation of 50 EUR or more. It is much more than a gift: it is a symbol of peace, lived solidarity and the hope that these children bring into the world every single day.
Every donation counts.
Your donation will enable concrete therapies, psychological support, and educational opportunities for the children of Odessa. With your support, you are not only giving financial help, but also security, stability, and new prospects for the future.
Only one gift is possible per donation.
(*) The small ceramic cats will be available from July 2026, provided the security situation in this region of Ukraine allows transport.
Should the situation on the ground worsen, the gift unfortunately cannot be delivered.
