Hesed on Wheels Reaches Out to a Determined Young Man

Misha, 18, was born in Zaporozhye, Eastern Ukraine, with a condition called spinal encephalocele (marked by a gap in the skull). Soon after his birth he was abandoned by his parents and grew up in the State Children's Orphanage.

Misha first learned to walk when he was six years old, and since then has been able to move around on his own with some impairment. Earlier this year, he was transferred from the orphanage to the Elderly Home. At the request of the home, Misha was evaluated by a regional medical committee. The committee determined that Misha has no mental retardation and is actually extremely talented.

As a result, Misha has been promoted directly from 6th to 9th grade at his special school for children with disabilities in the Melitopol periphery. Misha is a bright student, and even studies foreign languages on his own. He has shown tremendous physical perseverance as well: though he suffers from partially paralyzed legs and enuresis, Misha walks five kilometers to school every day.

He has his own room and receives meals at the Elderly Home in exchange for part of his scanty state welfare payment. With the money he has leftover after this payment, he saves towards his higher education; his dream is to become a computer programmer.

Misha knows that his father, Illya, was Jewish, and as a result the boy is very interested in connecting with his heritage. His appreciation for Jewish values comes partially from visits by the Melitopol Hesed Welfare Center workers, who bring Misha food packages as well as Jewish press and books. He is always excited to have visitors, and to meet people who care about him.

In a letter to the JDC representative for Eastern Ukraine, Misha expressed his deepest appreciation for the support of the Jewish community through JDC-sponsored Hesed on Wheels. "Thank you so much for your help and presents, for helping me to fulfill my dreams, for welcoming me to a big Jewish family, and for not leaving me at a hard minute."