Pilgrim Republic Children’s Home

In 2000, Gennadiy Mokhnenko and his church began delivering food to street children in their post-Soviet city of Mariupol and were alarmed to find so many of them addicted to drugs and alcohol, with some also infected by HIV. Recognizing the need for more substantial support, they transformed an old building into Pilgrim Republic Children’s Home, which has now helped more than 2,000 children and was sheltering over 100 vulnerable children in Ukraine before the 2022 Russian invasion, helping them recover from addiction and pursue education. The community's efforts address the systemic issues of drug abuse, poverty, and disability that often lead to child abandonment.

Ukraine faces severe challenges, being the European country most affected by HIV/AIDS, largely due to high drug use. The ongoing war has compounded these issues, causing widespread displacement and trauma, with many children exposed to violence and living in fear. Substance abuse is rampant, with heroin being the most common due to its availability, leading to a significant number of children becoming homeless and at risk of further harm. Pilgrim Republic provides crucial support, offering shelter, food, and a chance at a better future for these children.

After being evacuated from their home in Mariupol in February of 2022, they barely escaped with their lives to Germany where they lived as refugees for more than two years. In April of 2024, they returned to their homeland after a new, beautiful and safe oasis was prepared for them. NNow living in the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine, far from the jaws of war, they enjoy a peaceful life and a promising future. The home continues to take on new children affected by the war.